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 105

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072

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 105

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Frank Nicholas Saur, M. D., 279 Third street, Milwaukee, is a native of Alsace, Germany, and was born on Nov. 19, 1863. His early education was acquired in his native land, where he was a stu- dent at the gymnasium, which corresponds to the high-grade classical schools which prepare students for university work in this country. After coming to America he was a student at the University of Val- paraiso, Ind., in 1889, and subsequently the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, in which he graduated in 1892; and he has since taken post- graduate work both in New York and Chicago Polyclinics and in

834

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Germany. He began the practice of his profession in Racine, Wis .. and in 1897 came to Milwaukee as lecturer in the Milwaukee Medical College on the diseases of the stomach. He has since resided in this city, and beside his general practice gives particular attention to that line of professional work indicated above. He is a member of the medical associations of the city, county, state, and of the United States, and the rank which he takes among his professional brethren is com- mensurate with his thorough preparation for his work and the scien- tific spirit, characteristic of his nationality, in which he approaches it. In his religious belief he is moved by the modern liberal spirit, and in his politics supports the Republican party. On Sept. 14, 1892, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Karney, daughter of Michael D. and Elizabeth (Roch) Karney, of Iowa, and to this union two children, Leo M. and Frederick K., have been born.

Charles A. DeDiemar, D. O., 1102 Chestnut street, Milwaukee, was born in Lockport, N. Y., July 4, 1847, and is the son of Lewis and Eliza Jane (Edmonston), DeDiemar, the former a native of Paris, France, and the latter of Coltain, Ireland. The father was the son of a French baron, was a man of culture and educa- tion, followed the profession of law, and also acted for a time as superintendent of the Lake Shore railroad. The family lived in New York for some years previous to taking up their residence in Wisconsin, and they had eight children, of whom seven are now living. The father died in 1865 and his wife a few years later. Dr. DeDiemar served in the Civil war as a.lands- man in the Illinois navy, and he enlisted on Sept. 17, 1864, serving on the United States steamers Robb, Louisville, and Great Western, being mustered out on March 2, 1865. His general education was obtained in the schools of Kenosha, and his professional life as a doc- tor of osteopathy is of comparatively recent beginning? He took the first course in the Columbian School of Osteopathy, Medicine, and Surgery, finishing in January, 1900, and more recently (1906) took another course at Kirksville, Mo. He has followed the practice of this school of treatment for disease for six years-one in Michigan and five in Milwaukee-with marked and gratifying success. In politics, Dr. DeDiemar is a supporter of the Republican party, and his reli- gious faith finds expression by membership in the Christian church. He was married on Oct. 3, 1886, to Miss Ella R. Clay, of Benjamin, Mo., and the two children born to this union are James and Margaret.

Daniel B. Riley, M. D., is a leading practitioner of Medicine in the city of Milwaukee, where he also officiates as assistant surgeon at the Soldiers' Home and as a member of the staff of the Milwaukee Maternity Hospital. He was born at Doylestown, Columbia county, Wis., on June 19, 1879, son of James Edward and Mary (O'Keefe) Riley, both of whom were born in Franklin county, New York. The father enlisted on Aug. 8, 1864, as a private in the Second battery, Vermont light artillery. and joined the command at Port Hudson, La. He officiated as blacksmith with this battery during the remainder of its term of service, serving on garrison duty at Port Hudson until

835

BIOGRAPHICAL

July 7. 1865. The command then moved to Baton Rouge, and on July 9 proceeded home via Cairo, Ill., arriving at Burlington on July 20, and was mustered out of service on July 31. 1865. About 1866 the parents of the subject of this review removed from New York state to Wisconsin and located in Columbia county, where the father followed the occupation of a wagon-maker and blacksmith until his death, which occurred on Feb. 27, 1883. Then the widow removed to Milwaukee, where she now resides, and of the seven children born to this couple. five are living. Dr. Riley received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a course in the high school, and in July, 1898, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in Battery A, Wiscon- sin light artillery, for service in the Spanish-American war. He served with this command until the close of hostilities and then returned home. Deciding upon the medical profession as his life's work, after some preliminary reading he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physi- cians and Surgeons at Milwaukee, and graduated in that institution on May 1, 1905. During his last year in college he also served as in- terne at the St. Joseph Hospital. He then opened an office for the active practice of his profession and has since been continuously so engaged, his endeavors being crowned with very gratifying success. He was married on Jan. 11. 1908, to Miss Winabel Schnur, of But- ternut, Wis., daughter of Adam and Marie (Fleckinger) Schnur, both of whom are deceased. Adam Schnur came to Milwaukee as a child with his mother, and there he received his education and entered public life. For a time he edited a newspaper, espousing the cause of the Republican party, and for a number of years he officiated as the superintendent of the County farm, being quite prominent in po- litical circles. Later he removed to Butternut, Wis., and there died in 1907. his wife having passed away on Aug. 17, 1903, and of the eight children born to these parents, all are living. Dr. Riley is inde- pendent in his political views, and professionally has membership in the Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity.

George Arthur Harper, Sr., a member of Robert Harper & Sons, interior decorators and general painting contractors, of Mil- waukee, was born in that city on Sept. 23, 1875, son of Robert J. and Mary Ellen (Garlick) Harper. The father is also a native of Milwaukee, being born here in 1849, but the mother was born in Essex county, New York. The paternal grandfather of Robert Harper was a native of Kilmannock, Ayrshire, Scotland, and was a pioneer of Milwaukee, settling here in the late thirties. He founded the business now conducted by Robert Harper & Sons, in 1847, under the name of Harper Brothers, and under this title it was operated for twenty years, when it became Robert Harper & Sons, which designation it has born since 1872. Robert Harper, the grandfather, died in 1896, and Robert J., the father, died in 1904, at the age of fifty-five. The latter reared a family of four children: Robert HI., deceased; George Arthur, James R. and Emma F., wife of E. W. Nicholson. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native city and at the East Side high school. Later he was a student of architecture for six years, when,

836

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

in February, 1901, he became a member of the firm of Robert Harper & Sons, which is one of the best-known firms in the city. On Sept. 21, 1904, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of William Malloy, of Milwaukee, and they have two children, Donald Arthur and Virginia Margaret. Mr. Harper was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, Light Horse Battery A, First artillery, from 1896 to 1898, and in the summer of 1898 the battery was sent to Oshkosh to quell a riot. On returning to Milwaukee it was at once ordered to prepare for duty in the volunteer service for the Spanish-American war, but after four. months the entire command was honorably mustered out at Milwaukee. The company was mustered into the Wisconsin National Guard, Oct. 18, 1898, with our subject as sergeant, and later he was promoted to stable-ser- geant, a staff appointment, but he resigned from the service in 1900. He then became prominently identified with the organiza- tion of Camp Hugh J. McGrath, United Spanish War Veterans, serving as trustee for three years, and he is now serving his second term as commander of the camp. He served one term as assistant quartermaster-general of the Wisconsin department of the United Spanish War Veterans. He has been a delegate to nearly all of the Spanish War Veterans' conventions. In politics he is a Re- publican. The firm are members of the Merchants' and Manu- facturers' Association, the Milwaukee Builders' Club and Master Painters' Association.

Bernard J. McMahon, a glass-worker of Milwaukee, who has won himself a high place among his fellow workmen by his effi- ciency and skill, was born in Jersey City, N. J., Feb. 10, 1866, a son of Bernard and Mary (Staff) McMahon. Both parents were natives of Ireland. The father came to America in the early fifties, and followed the vocation of cooper during all of his active life in this country. When he passed away, in 1872, leaving a family of three children-Bernard J., John M. and Sarah A. (now Mrs. L. L. Gage, of Scranton, Pa.)-he was the proprietor of one of the largest cooperage shops in Jersey City. Bernard J. McMahon was reared in Wayne county, Pa., where he lived for some years after his eighth birthday. His early educational training was received in the common schools of that county. He served his apprentice- ship and mastered his trade at Honesdale, Pa., the process occu- pying a period of five years. In 1880 he went to Scranton, and labored at his trade until 1894. The following two years he spent at Fairmount, Ind., in the gas belt, leaving there to go to Streator, Ill., where he spent three years. In 1899 he came to Milwaukee, and since that time he has been continuously in the employ of the Northern Glass-Works Company, with the exception of three years which he spent as traveling representative of the Commoner and Glass-Worker Publishing Company. In his religious belief he is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church, and his fraternal rela- tions are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Glass Bottle Blowers' As- sociation. In politics he is an adherent of the principles of the

837

BIOGRAPHICAL

Democratic party and has done much valuable work for that or- ganization. Mr. McMahon was united in marriage on Aug. 1, 1893, to Jennie, daughter of Michael McFadden, of Scranton, Pa. Four children have blessed this union: Edwin, Marietta, Jennie and Bernard.

John J. McLinden, bridge-tender, living at 190 Michigan street. Milwaukee, is a native of Ireland, where he was born sixty-seven years ago, in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh. He has made his home in the city of Milwaukee since the year 1846, June 24, the date on which his parents and their large family of eight children arrived in the city, direct from Ireland. His parents were John and Mary McLinden, both natives of the Emerald Isle, where John, Sr., was a weaver before coming to America. He conducted a hotel in Milwaukee for many years, and both he and his wife died here. The only surviving members of the family are John J., the subject of this sketch, and his sister, Mrs. Rosa Donnelly. John J. obtained his education in the schools of Milwaukee, when still young became a sailor on the Great Lakes, and he followed this calling for a period of some twelve years. Mr. McLinden enjoys the unique distinction of being one of the few survivors of the ill- fated Lady Elgin, which was lost on Lake Michigan on Sept. 8, 1860. Of the nearly 500 souls on board, only some eighty were saved and more than four hundred sank to a watery grave with the vessel. Of these eighty survivors, about twelve are now living. Nearly all those on board the vessel were from the city of Mil- wauke, and the terrible catastrophe cast a gloom over the whole city. The story of the terrible disaster has been often chronicled in story and song, and there are few people of middle-age today who cannot call to mind a vivid rcollection of the loss of the Lady . Elgin. Mr. McLinden owes his life to the almost miraculous in- tervention of Providence. He was one of a party of forty-eight who had taken refuge on a raft as the vessel was sinking, and this raft was later washed ashore some seventeen miles north of Chi- cago, at Winnetka. Of the forty-eight people on board the raft, only seven reached the shore in safety-five men and two women. They had been tossed about on the raft for fully eight hours at the mercy of the elements, and in waves that were running twenty feet high. The frail structure finally went to pieces, and those saved managed to cling to the floating pieces of debris and were washed ashore at different times and places ; one of the two women saved was washed up clinging to a brick hod. Mr. McLinden was born and bred in the Roman Catholic faith and is a devoted son of the church. He was married late in life, June 12, 1906, to Mrs. Sarah Bryan, of Chicago, Ill., and they have no children.

Joseph Kehrmann, one of the popular business men of Mil- waukee, who has for some years represented the Fifth ward on the county board of supervisors, was born in the grand duchy of Nassau, Germany, Feb. 19, 1859, of German-Jew parentage. His father, Isaac, was also born in Nassau, where he was a prosperous merchant ; his mother, whose maiden name was Barbetta Loewinsberg, was a native

838

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

of the grand duchy of Hesse. Both parents lived their lives and died in their native country. They had a family of six children: Matilda, Leopold, Julius, Johanna, Joseph, and Augusta, of whom four are now living in Germany : Matilda is deceased, and Joseph, the subject of this sketch, came to the United States in 1882 and located in Mil- waukee, which has been his place of residence ever since. Before leaving the Fatherland, Mr. Kehrmann spent three years of active service in the German army, from 1879 to 1882. His education was received in the public schools of his native place, and at the polytechnic high school, or Realschule, in Beiarich-on-the-Rhine. During his resi- dence in Milwaukee he has been engaged in the mercantile and saloon business, and was also in the employ of the Miller Brewing Company for about two years, but during the past year he has not been engaged in active business pursuits. Mr. Kehrmann has always been a staunch adherent of the Democratic party, and for some years past has wielded an active influence in the local councils of that organization. His strength and popularity are well attested by the fact that he has served for six consecutive years as a member of the board of supervisors from the Fifth ward of the city, and is now vice-chairman of that legislative body. He is at the time of this writing his party's choice once more for the same office, and will doubtless be re-elected. In religious mat- ters he conforms to the Jewish faith. He is a member of the veteran society of the Deutscher Landwehrmaenner Verein, and also be- longs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Milwaukee. He was united in marriage on Feb. 23, 1885, to Miss Ottilia Frase, a native of West Prussia, by whom he has had two children, Herbert and Esther, both of whom died in infancy. His place of residence is at No. 414 National avenue.

Warren D. Brinton was born at Wyandotte, Mich., Feb. 20, 1868, the son of Warren and Beulah (Tobey) Brinton, the father born in Connecticut on Aug. 16, 1825, and the mother in New York state, on Dec. 12, 1835. The father was a foundryman who came west to Missouri before the Civil war to follow his trade. At the close of the war a friend, who was managing the Ward Iron Works at Milwau- kee, induced him to come to that city, in 1870, and secured for him the position of superintendent of the foundry. He settled in southeast Milwaukee, being one of the pioneer residents of that part of the city, now known as Bay View, and there he died. Our subject and his mother, to whom he is deeply devoted, still reside at the old home- stead here, notwithstanding that his present business connections re- quire most of his time in Chicago. The mother, our subject, and a daughter, Mrs. Albert Pickard, wife of the superintendent of the South Branch City Library, are the only survivors of the family. Our sub- ject was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, graduating from the Bay View high school, after which he attended Ralston University, Washington, D. C. At the age of sixteen years he began work in a modest position with the Illinois Steel Company, and with a genius for hard work and by well-directed energy he advanced step-by-step up and through the clerical department, and in a few years we find him superintendent of the company's large plant. Being a careful student

839

BIOGRAPIIICAL

of the steel trade in all its ramifications, and a trusted employe, he was sent to Pittsburg, Pa., where the company was opening up the manu- facture of wire on an extensive scale, and here he remained two years. In 1904 he became auditor of accounts' for the International Harvester Company, of Chicago, where he is at present engaged, but Milwaukee is his domicile. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Republican party, and he takes a deep interest in athletics and physical culture in all its phases. He is a firm believer in the idea that the buoyancy and elas- ticity of youth may be carried far along into mature life through the medium of legitimate and simple out-door sports and exercises. Like many other sensible men he believes that too much rest means rust.

Emanuel E. A. Wurster, prominent in commercial life in Mil- waukee as the secretary of The Falk Company, was born in Buf- falo, N. Y., on March 11, 1861. He is the son of Gottlieb Martin and Rosena Kathrine Wurster, both of whom were born in Wur- temburg, Germany, in 1819. The father migrated to Buffalo in 1848, and in a very few years, by his industry and thrift, became a prominent miller of that city. Of the nine children born to him all died in infancy, with the exception of Emanuel E. A. He at- tended the public schools of Buffalo and completed his scholastic training by coming West, in 1874, to take a course of study at the Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis. He returned to Buffalo and secured employment as a bookkeeper. In 1880 he again came West and became associated with the Franz Falk Brew- ing Company, of Milwaukee. He severed his connection with that firm in 1894, and together with Herman W. Falk organized the Falk Manufacturing Company, of which concern he was elected secretary and treasurer. Later the corporation name was changed to The Falk Company, which is today one of the largest steel foun- dry concerns in the Northwest. It is largely due to Mr. Wurster's enterprise and ability that it has attained its rank in the manu- facturers' circles throughout the country. On Feb. 19, 1881, Mr. Wurster was united in marriage to Miss Nattie Schultz, of Water- town, Wis., the daughter of Carl W. Schultz, a merchant of that place. This union was blessed with two children, Erwin Grover and Hattie S. Fraternally Mr. Wurster is prominent in Masonic life, being a Consistory Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Deutscher and Calumet clubs.

August Frederick Wallschlaeger, secretary of the trustees of the Milwaukee County Insane Asylum, was born near Greifen- berg. Pomerania, Germany, Oct. 9, 1835, the son of John G. and Maria (Brueggmann) Wallschlaeger, both natives of the same place. The father was educated in his native village, and after reaching his majority taught school. He was married in Germany and his five children were born there. He came to America in 1851, arriving in Milwaukee on July 8. He made the trip from New York by the way of the Great Lakes. He taught in the German schools in the country near Milwaukee. The mother died in 1867 and he died in 1876, and both are buried in the Union Cemetery.

840

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

August Wallschlaeger was educated in the common schools and also in a private school in his native village. After coming to Mil- waukee he studied in the public schools of that city in the summer time and taught in the country during the winter. In 1857 he ob- tained a position as a bookkeeper and clerk for Ott Brothers, gro- cers, and remained with them for four years. In 1861 he accepted a position as assistant bookkeeper for the John Nazro Hardware Company. In 1864 he was promoted to head bookkeeper for this firm. In 1869 he bought an interest in the John T. Lee Hardware Company, and acted as manager and bookkeeper until 1876. He left this company and became associated with his brother and a Mr. Sweigert until 1887. In 1888 he was appointed secretary for the trustees of the Milwaukee County Insane Asylum, which position he still holds. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party, and as a representative of that party served for four years (from 1872 to 1876) as alderman from the Second ward. He also served for two years as director of the board of education from the Second ward. In church affiliations he is a German Lutheran. On Sept. 3, 1863, he was married to Miss Augusta, daughter of Ernst and Louise (Schoelock) Zautcke, of North Milwaukee. She died on Feb. 21, 1908. They were the parents of eight children. Laura keeps house for her father; Lilly and Amanda are married and live in Milwaukee; Edwin and Ernest are commercial travelers; Lewis is in the employ of George Weazell, druggist, and the other two are Herbert and Arthur. In his younger days Mr. Wallschlaeger was a great club man, but he has gradually dropped them all to spend his time with his family.

Henry Mantz, a retired lumber merchant, and one of the most progressive business men, who has long been identified with the extensive lumber industry of northern Wisconsin and Michigan, is a native of Germany, born at Halsousan on June 8, 1845. He is the son of John and Dorothy Mantz, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States from the Fatherland in 1856. The father was a cobbler by trade, but when he came to Milwaukee county in the early days he took up land and ran a farm while conducting his trade. But two years had elapsed after the family were settled in their new home, with bright and happy prospects for the future, when the father was killed in a brick-yard near his home, leaving his wife with a growing family of ten children, of whom Henry was the eldest. He assumed the responsibilities of the head of the fam- ily and carried on the work of the farm until he was nineteen years of age. During the winter and at all the slack time in the farm work he attended the public schools of Milwaukee county, and when some of the younger brothers were large enough to take charge of the farm, he went into the great pinery of northern Mich- igan to make his fortune. This boy, raised on a farm, was not afraid of hard work, and he went into the lumber camps near Man- istec. Mich., where he learned lumbering at first hand, and after seven years' devotion and industry entered into lumber contract- ing with Mr. Hanson. Mr. Mantz was a keen, far-sighted busi-

841

BIOGRAPHICAL

ness man, and his business increased from year to year until he determined to enlarge it, and in 1890 he formed the Michelson & Hanson Lumber Company, of Lewiston, Mich., which company was incorporated in that state, with Mr. Michelson president; Mr. Mantz, vice-president; Mr. Alexander, secretary, and Mr. David Kneeland, manager and treasurer. In the year 1891 Mr. Mantz went to Lewiston, Mich., with a crew of men to clear away the timber for camps and also for the right of way for railroads to do their business in a logging way. He was the first settler in the town to engage in the lumber business and was also the first super- visor of the town. One year later he moved his family to Lewiston, and had the pleasure of seeing what was but a logging town spring up to a village with a population of 700. It was here that he gained most of his success in the lumbering industry. Ten years later Mr. Mantz moved his residence to Milwaukee and retired from active busi- ness, though he still continues to hold considerable interest in the lumber company. On March 26, 1873, Mr. Mantz was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Rightee, the daughter of Emil and Mary (Cooper) Rightee, of Manistee, Mich. Mr. Rightee was born near Montreal, Canada, where he was reared and learned the trade of black- smith. Some years later he immigrated to the United States and lo- cated in New York, where he met and married Mary Cooper. After residing in New York he answered the call of the West and moved to Michigan, where he followed his vocation until his death, about forty years ago. Nine children have been made welcome in Mr. Mantz' family : Mary, the wife of George Cross, of Lewiston, Mich. ; William, who is engaged in the lumbering industry; George, who is associated with his brother William, at Grayling, Mich. ; Elizabeth, at home ; Clar- ence, the agent for the American Express Company at Detroit, Mich. ; Martha, at home ; Fred, who is employed as a shipping clerk in Mil- waukee ; Arthur, who is associated with the Western Union Telephone Company ; and Harold, who is attending school. While living in Michi- gan. Mr. Mantz became a member of the Lewiston Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which membership he still holds. The family are members and cordial supporters of the North Side Congregational church. Since coming to Milwaukee, Mr. Mantz and family have made many friends, and the younger members of the family are among the popular representatives of the younger social set of the city. John J. De Garis, deceased, one of the well-known and popular business men of Milwaukee for over a quarter of a century, was born in Milwaukee, on Dec. 19, 1858, and practically his whole life was identified with the city of his birth. He was the only son of Joseph and Catherine (Reilly) De Garis, the former of whom was born on the Isle of Guernsey, and the latter in Ireland. The father was a pio- neer merchant of Milwaukee, coming to the city in 1856 and embarking in the grocery business on Prospect avenue. He retired from active business a year or two before his death, which occurred in the year 1892. John J. received an excellent education, first at a private school, then attended the Spencerian Business College, and finally he gradu- ated from Marquette College, Milwaukee. Upon the completion of his

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 105

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072