USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County, Volume II > Part 104
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communicants of the Emanuel Presbyterian church. On Nov. 21, 1899, Dr. Albright was united in marriage to Miss Laura Uihlein, daughter of Henry and Helena (Kreutzer) Uihlein, both pioneers of Milwaukee. Mr. Uihlein has, for the past thirty years, been president of the Schlitz Brewing Company. To Dr. and Mrs. Al- bright have been born two daughters, Lorraine and Marion.
John William Peterson Lombard, president of the Milwaukee Clearing House Association and of the National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee, was born at Truro, Barnstable county, Mass., on Aug. 3, 1849. He is a son of Lewis Lombard, whose life extended from 1801 to 1879, and his wife, Sarah (Gross) Lombard, who was born in 1805 and died in 1856. Mr. Lombard is directly descended from a line of patriots, being eighth in descent from Rev. John Mayo, of Massachusetts, and Nicholas Snow and William Lumpkin, of the same state ; seventh in descent from Gov. Robert Treat, of Connec- ticut, and Gov. Thomas Roberts, of New Hampshire; and sixth from Lieut. James Lewis, of Massachusetts, all of whom partici- pated in the Colonial wars. Another ancestor, David Snow, fought at Ticonderoga under Ethan Allen. John W. P. Lombard, the subject of this review, attended the common schools and a private academy at Truro and graduated at the high school of Somerville, Mass. His career as a banker started as a messenger in the Fifth National Bank of Chicago, and at the end of ten years he was paying teller of the National Bank of America, at Chicago. In 1874 he removed to Marinette, Wis., and between that year and 1891 served as cashier and vice-president of the Stephenson Banking Company and the Stephenson National Bank. In the latter year he came to Milwaukee to accept the second vice-presidency of the National Exchange Bank, and has since, for various periods, filed that office, the first vice-presidency, and the presidency of the institution. The latter position he still holds, and in 1906 was elected president of the Milwaukee Clearing House Association. In his political relations Mr. Lombard is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never aspired to become an office-holder. He is a life member of the Wisconsin State Historical Association, and is one of the trustees of the Milwaukee-Downer College. Socially he is identified with the Milwaukee, the Town, the Milwaukee Bankers', the Milwaukee Country, the Milwaukee Athletic, and the Milwaukee Yacht clubs. On June 24, 1875, Mr. Lombard was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Josephine Brown, a daughter of Jonas and Anne (Case) Brown, of Milwaukee. Two children were born to bless this union: Edmund Burke, who died in infancy, and Marinette, now Mrs. Richard S. Powell, of Iron Mountain, Mich.
Lester L. Carr, one of the substantial citizens of Milwaukee, was born in Jonesville, Hillside county, Mich., on June 27, 1843. He is a son of DeMott and Harriet M. Carr, the former of whom was born in Arlington, Pa., on Oct. 16, 1814, and the latter in Rutland, Vt., on Aug. 24, 1817. Mr. Carr received his educational advantages in the common schools and at Wayland Academy of Beaver Dam. One year before he graduated, when he was but
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nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company K, of the First Wis- consin cavalry. His enlistment was in August, 1862, and on Christmas day of the same year he was honorably discharged be- cause of physical incapacity. He returned to Milwaukee and for several months was unable to walk without crutches, but when he was sufficiently recovered he engaged in pedagogic work and for three years taught school in different parts of the state. In 1866 he matriculated at the Spencerian Business College and laid the foundation for a business career. When he had completed the course in that institution he became an inmate of the old soldiers' home on West Water street until he secured office employment with the Judd & Hiles Manufacturing Company on West Water street. Since that time he has been employed in office capacities with many of the large corporations and other firms in the city, and at the present time is office manager for the Modern Specialty Company, 60 to 64 Nineteenth street. In his political relations he is a Republican, and during Republican administrations, for eleven years, he was deputy in the office of the internal revenue collector in this city. In his church relations he is a Universalist, and is one of the most devout and zealous communicants of that church. On Dec. 4, 1873, Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth P. Plankinton, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Camby) Plankinton, both natives of England. To this union has been born one daugh- ter, Edith E.
James M. Clark .- The great Northwest, the veritable "land of opportunity," has developed a race of business men that challenges admiration. The subject of this sketch is one of these men. Start- ing at the bottom of the ladder, he has climbed from its lowest round to a prominent place among the business men of Milwaukee by his own unaided efforts, added thereto by strict honesty, integ- rity, and an unflinching determination to succeed. James M. Clark. the subject of this review, was born at Clark's Mills, Manitowoc county, Wis., August 20, 1870. His parents were Bernard and Kathreen (O'Connor) Clark, who were natives of Ireland. Like so many of the capable sons of the Emerald Isle, the elder Clark im- migrated to the United States and located in Wisconsin, where he established his home and reared his family. He took up land, cleared it, and engaged in farming, and met with an honest re- ward for his toil. James was reared on the family homestead and attended the public schools of Clarks Mills for eight years. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm, but desiring a larger field for his activities he left home and learned structural iron work. He paid strict attention to his work, and with the reputed cleverness of the Irishman, soon had mastered all its intricacies. From workman he was advanced to supervisor, and from that to superintendent of the contracting work proper. Mr. Clark had the honor to be in charge of the construction of the west wing of the new state capital at Madison, Wis., the only part of the building that was not destroyed by the fire of 1904. After acting as super- intendent of construction he decided to work for himself and be-
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came established as a general contractor in Milwaukee in 1908. Mr. Clark is well known in the city, and he is meeting with most marked success in his business. On May 2, 1893, he married Ellen, the daughter of Michael and Mary A. (Curley) Rogers, residents of Appleton, Wis. Two children have been born to bless this mar- riage : Raymond, aged twelve, and Percival, one year younger. Mr. Clark and his family are members of the Catholic church, in which they were raised, and Mr. Clark is a member of the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a staunch supporter of the policies of the Democratic party.
Adam Hanst, one of the most prominent among the bakers in Milwaukee, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on Aug. 22, 1848, and is a son of Adam and Margaret Hanst. The parents were both born in Germany and came direct to Milwaukee from that country in 1880. The father embarked in the bakery business soon after his arrival and was engaged in that business for a good many years. He has now retired from active participation in business, but still owns the property upon which he conducted his business. Mr. Hanst, the subject of this review, received the limited education afforded by the common schools of his native land. Since coming to Milwaukee he has conducted a modern, clean bakery, and the quality of his output has become quite re- nowned throughout the city. Schooled in hardship and privation, he learned thoroughly the necessity of thrift and industry, and in his business efforts he has brought to bear all the essentials of these qualities. In political matters he is a Republican, but never found the leisure to devote to becoming a candidate for offices of public trust. He is a devout communicant of St. Matthew's church. On Feb. 22, 1875, Mr. Hanst was united in marriage to Miss Eva Schwin, a daughter of George and Margaret Schwin, of Germany. The children born to this union are Lewis, aged thirty-two, city mail carrier ; Frieda, aged twenty-six; Ella, deceased; Hulda, aged twenty-two; August, aged twenty-one and who is a jeweler in business on Third street; Della and Anna, twins, aged seventeen ; and Catherine, fourteen years of age. Lewis is the only one of the children who has married, and he now has a daughter, Margaret, six months old.
Fred H. Dorner, a well-known and capable mechanical engineer of the city of Milwaukee, was born in this city on June II, 1881. He is a son of John Adam and Elizabeth (Koelner) Dor- ner, the former of whom was born in Germany on May 7, 1836, and the latter in Utica, N. Y., on Aug. 6, 1846. The father, who came to Milwaukee in 1843, while it was still a village, was for various periods engaged in the wood business, as a general contractor, and as an inspector for the city water department. When the dark cloud of war overhung the horizon of national unity he enlisted as a private in Company E of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry, known as the "Milwaukee Regiment." The company was mustered into the United States service in August, 1862, and with the re- mainder of the regiment left the state the following month At
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Covington, Ky., the Twenty-fourth was assigned to the Thirty .. seventh brigade, Eleventh division. It was first under fire at the battle of Perryville, and the brigade commander commended the valor of the men in making his report of the engagement. At the battle of Stone's River, where the Twenty-fourth was heavily en- gaged, it lost 175 in killed, wounded and prisoners. At Chickamauga it sustained a loss of 105, and at Missionary Ridge it took a prom- inent part, ascending the hill under a heavy fire and carrying the Confederate position on the crest. It was one of the' regiments that helped to raise the siege of Knoxville. John A. Dorner par- ticipated in all these engagements with his company, and at the end of two years of service was honorably discharged. He was also a member of the first volunteer fire department in the city. His death occurred in 1906, and besides his widow he left the following children : John Adam, Jr., Lillian Mae, Ida Josephine, and Fred Harry. The eldest child, John Henry, died in infancy. Fred H. Dorner, the subject of this review, received his preparatory educa- tion in the public and high schools of Milwaukee, and when he had completed his course in the latter institution he matriculated in the engineering department of the University of Wisconsin. In June, 1905, the faculty granted him the degree of Mechanical Engineer, and he entered the employ of the Allis-Chalmers Company as a draughtsman. After working as draughtsman in the various de- partments he was given charge of the Steam Turbine Experimental Department. Subsequently he severed that association to become chief draughtsman for the Byler Manufacturing Company. He soon rose to the position of mechanical engineer, which he now fills with quite as much credit to the wisdom of the officers in selecting him as to his own. Mr. Dorner is independent of party affiliation in his politcal belief, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage as his conscience and judgment dictate rather that at will of party leaders. His professional relations include membership in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Engineers' Society of Milwaukee, and the Association of Engineering Societies. Mr. Dorner is not married.
Berthier George Ellsworth .- Among the well-known business men of Milwaukee is Berthier Ellsworth, the subject of this brief review. He is a native of Iowa, born at Iowa Falls, June 4, 1866, the son of Orlando and Julia ( Wentworth ) Ellsworth. The father was born in New York state in 1813, and answering the call of the West came to Wisconsin in 1838, locating in the town of Lake. Milwaukee county, where he took up land. The old homestead is still preserved. Subsequently Mr. Ellsworth moved to Iowa, where his son was born. When this great country was rent by the struggles of the Civil war, Mr. Ellsworth answered the call for vol- unteers and enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, and served through the years of bloodshed and strife. Not alone did the father go to the front, but his fourteen-year-old son, E. S. Ellsworth, also enlisted as a drummer boy and followed the flag of his country into the midst of screaming shot and shell, serving
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gallantly and true the country of his birth. Berthier, our subject,
received his educational training at the Milwaukee Academy, and after leaving school engaged in the grain business in 1887. Since 1888 he has been connected with L. Bartlett & Son Company. He was advanced from one position of trust to another as he learned the different branches of the business. Mr. Ellsworth is a member of the Board of Trade and is one of its prominent mem- bers. For two years he served as vice-president, and subsequently two years, as president of that organization. Mr. Ellsworth has held various positions with his company, and some years ago was elected president, which position he still holds. He has been a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, a private in Battery A. He was advanced to the position of corporal, and after the ex- piration of his term of service was mustered out of the service with honor in 1892. Mr. Ellsworth is a Republican in politics, and takes an active interest in the party, but his busy life has never permitted him to take any part in political campaigns. He is well known in the social circles of the Cream City, is a popular mem- ber of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Blue Mound Country Club and the Yacht Club, and he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a Thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Wisconsin Consistory and of Tripoli Temple. In 1892, Mr. Ellsworth was married to Mary Vance Dawson, the daughter of Alfred Dawson, of Milwaukee. They have three children : Blanche Emma, A. Dawson, and Josephine J., who are all- at home.
Louis Pierron, one of the public-spirited and prominent citi- zens of the town of Milwaukee, is a native of Wisconsin, descended from a long line of sturdy German-French ancestors. He was born in the town of Milwaukee on Sept. 23, 1870, the son of William Pierron, Sr., who is also a native of Milwaukee county, born Sept. 17, 1849, and Martha (Mantz) Pierron, who first saw the light of day in Germany on Sept. 17, 1853. The father, William Pierron, Sr., reared a family of eight children : Louis, the subject of this sketch ; William, Jr., who is a miner in Nevada ; Otillie ; Henry, also a miner in Nevada; Elsa B., the wife of G. E. Rothweiler, of Billingham, Wash .; Alma, the wife of Otto A. Jacobi, an alchemist of Denver, Colo. ; Martha M., a teacher in the Milwaukee public schools, and Richard, the principal of a school at Bellingham, Wash. William Pierron, Sr .. lived in Milwaukee until he was seventeen years of age, with Charles Herman, his step-father, who ran a store at 552 East Water street. After leaving the city Mr. Pierron worked in, and later conducted, the Silver Springs Mills in the town of Milwaukee from 1866 to 1888, assisting in the manufacture of starch and cereals. In 1888 he embarked in the grocery and saloon business on his own behalf at the corner of North avenue and Third street. In 1891 he was able to dispose of his business interests profitably, and for thirteen years was city collector for the Cream City Brewing Company. Mr. Pierron always took an active interest in politics. He represented the Fifteenth district in the state legis-
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lature in 1881 and had the honor to represent his constituents in the same body in 1891, from the Sixth district. Mr. Pierron was chairman of the town of Milwaukee in 1877 and also in 1883. He has now retired from active life and lives at 736 Holton street, Milwaukee. Louis Pierron's maternal grandfather was a brick manfacturer in Germany, who came to Milwaukee in 1855 and settled on a farm on the Port Washington road, and at the same time worked in the Lake Shore brick factory. He met his death by an accident. Louis, our subject, was named after his grandfather, who formerly conducted a general store, during Juneau's time, in Milwaukee. He was reared on his father's farm in the town of Milwaukee, and attended the public schools of the town, and later the schools of the city of Milwaukee, and a private school. He was an ambitious young man, and in 1887 assumed a half interest in a flour-and-feed store, in partnership with George Scholler, at 936 Third street, where Mr. Scholler is still in business. Two years after starting in business, Mr. Pierron's father came to Milwaukee and Louis disposed of his interest in the feed store to become a partner with his father, at the corner of North avenue and Third street. In 1891 he became a collector and salesman for 'L. M. Pierron, an uncle, who is located at 33 Johnson street. A year later he went into the repair department of the Board of Public Works and the Board of School Directors, and he remained in the employ of the city for eight years, rendering faithful and devoted service. Mr. Pierron has always liked the country, and in 1901 he returned to his father's old place in the town of Milwaukee, where he has introduced many improvements and is now engaged in general farming and as a breeder of poultry. Mr. Pierron is a staunch Republican in politics and takes an active interest in the questions affecting the welfare of the community. He is now serving his third term as justice of the peace and school clerk, which office he has held since 1904, and his present term will not expire until 1910. Mr. Pierron has won the esteem and con- fidence of his friends by his sound judgment and kind heart, and he is one of the substantial and honored citizens of his district.
Paul Peter Chrzan, assistant pastor of St. Josaphat's Catholic church, in Milwaukee, was born at Posen, Polish-Prussia, Jan. 24, 1875, and is the son of John and Veronica ( Rewolinski) Chrzan, both natives of the same place, and both now residents of Milwau- kee, the former born in 1835 and the latter in 1837. They are the parents of six children-three sons and three daughters-of whom all except one, who lives on a farm in Kewaunee county, are res- idents of Milwaukee. Rev. Father Chrzan obtained his early edu- cation in his native land, attending the parochial schools until he was twelve years of age. At that time, 1887, he came to the United States with his parents, the family locating in Milwaukee. Until he was about seventeen years of age he worked as a common laborer, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked some two years. All the time he was studying and reading as op- portunity afforded, in order to fit himself to enter college, which he
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did at the age of nineteen years, taking a course in Mt. Calvary College. near Fond du Lac, and later entering St. Francis Semi- nary for his theological training. He was ordained by Bishop Messmer, Dec. 8, 1905, and said his first mass on Dec. 10, follow- ing, at St. Cyril Methodius, Milwaukee. There being at that time no vacant place in the diocese, he was sent by the archbishop to the Holy Trinity church, Chicago, where he remained for eleven months, and at the end of that time he was recalled to Milwaukee as assistant pastor of St. Josaphat's church, which is elsewhere described in the sketch of the pastor, Rev. Joseph C. Knitter. Father Chrzan's case is a remarkable one in many respects. Be- ginning life as a laborer, he attained to the dignity of the priest- hood at the age of thirty years, and within a year of his ordination was appointed to his present responsible position in the largest Polish church in the Northwest. He thoroughly understands the needs, desires and aspirations of the people with whom he has to deal as pastor, and with many of whom he was a fellow laborer but a few years since. He is doing an excellent work among this people, and is greatly beloved by his parishioners, as is also his superior in office, Rev. Joseph C. Knitter. Father Chrzan's father, before his immigration, was a soldier in two wars, the Austro- German war of 1864 and the Franco-Prussian war of 1871, and he was engaged throughout the whole of both conflicts, participating in the battle of Metz, and many other important engagements, be- ing confined to the hospital for four months. He is entitled to a pension for services rendered in these wars, but has declined it.
Richard Joseph Smith, chancellor of the archdiocese of Mil- waukee, of the Catholic church, a man of unusual intellectual and spiritual attainments, prominent in the councils of his church, is a na- tive of the state to which he has given the work of his life. His father, John Smith, was born in Monaghan, Ireland, in 1808, and came to the United States in 1843, locating in the town of Willow Springs, La Fayette, Wis. He was a linen-weaver in his own coun- try, but after coming to America was engaged in the occupation of farming. Following the trail of the "Forty-niners," he went to Cali- fornia in 1852, remaining two years there in the gold mines, but re- turned to his farm near Darlington and spent the rest of his long life in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1905, having attained the great age of ninety-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Woods, was also born in Monaghan, Ireland, in 1840, and is still liv- ing. She came to this country with her family in 1852, and lived in Brooklyn, N. Y., for three years, coming west to La Fayette county, in 1856, and there meeting her husband. Rev. Richard J. Smith was born near Darlington, La Fayette county, Wisconsin, April 4. 1862. He attended the district schools of the town of Willow Springs until he was fifteen years of age, when he was sent to St. Francis' Seminary, and he was there nine years in preparation for his work. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1886. and officiated at his first mass on June 26, following, at St. Mary's church, Darlington, Wis. His first work as a pastor was at Gratiot, Wis., where he re-
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mained for a year and a half, and he then came to St. Francis Semi- nary as a teacher of English literature, canon law, Greek, and Chris- tian doctrine, remaining as a leading professor of the institution for seventeen years. Since July 1, 1905, he has been the chancellor of the archdiocese, and as such acts as judge in the matrimonial court, has charge of the cemeteries, and performs whatever other duties are as- signed him by the arch-bishop. His office is largely that of a con- fidential advisor, and the duties connected with it are often of a deli- cate and intimate character which can be performed only by a per- son of wisdom, tact, and nobility of character. That Father Smith is eminently fitted for the tasks of his office is conceded by all who have the good fortune of his acquaintance. He is a man of strong, yet winning, personality, and his long experience as a teacher and spir- itual advisor of young men during the most critical period of their lives has given him a rare insight into human nature, and the meth- ods of winning and holding confidences. His usefulness both as a member of his church and as a citizen of the metropolis of the state is as fully accorded outside the religious denominations to which he belongs as within.
Albert Joseph Lofy, the assistant rector of St. Michael's church, Milwaukee, was born in Richfield, Washington county, Wis. His paternal grandfather was one of the earliest settlers of that county and was engaged in farming. His father, William Lofy, also born in Washington county, on July 27, 1854, was a farmer, and very successful in his vocation. His death occurred on Nov. 23, 1897. He married Mary Thielman, who was born in Coblenz, Germany, July 23, 1854, and came to this country with her parents at the age of five years. She is still living. Albert J. was educated first in the public schools of Washington county, and later in the parochial schools of Grand Rapids, Wis., entering St. Francis Seminary in 1895. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Messmer, June 18, 1905, and officiated at his first mass at St. Hubert's church, Hubertus, Wis. For a short period he was stationed at Monches, Wau- kesha county, at St. John's church, coming to his present work on Oct. 15, 1905, as assistant pastor, and he has since been so engaged. He is the director of the young men's sodality of the parish, and di- rector of the dramatics in connection with the school, and some reve- nue is derived from this source for the parish. Rev. A. L. Lofy was an excellent student while in the seminary, and he takes up his work in the church in the same spirit of earnestness and conscientious endeavor.
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