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 117
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chanics, and the Northwestern Fire Insurance companies. The mother died in November, 1903, and the father passed away just a year later.
Gottlob Schlenstedt, an old and highly-respected citizen of Milwaukee, who has retired from active business, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 17, 1832, the son of Charles and Sophia Schlenstedt, who were natives of the same part of the country. His father, one of the sturdy Germans who did much toward the upbuilding of this great state in its infant years, immigrated to the United States and located in the town of Wauwatosa in 1849, and located on a farm. Here he carried on a truck farm with such success that he came to Milwaukee to live, and in 1852 gave up farming entirely. During his active life he had been a good manager, and when he retired was a man of con- siderable means. His wife died in 1875 and he survived her but eleven years. Six children were born to them, but only the third. the subject of this sketch, is living. Gottlob attended the public schools of Ger- many, and later learned the mason's trade before leaving the old coun- try. After coming to America he continued in this occupation for several years and managed so well that in eight years he associated him- self with Sebastian Brand and formed the mason-contracting firm of Schlenstedt & Brand. Their business increased rapidly, but in five years the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Schlenstedt continued alone. He showed remarkable capacity and had a keen insight into the requirements of the business, and it continued to grow rapidly until it assumed very large proportions. He constructed fire-station houses Nos. I and 5 for the city fire department, soon became an expert at brewery construction, and built breweries for the Pabst, Miller, Schlitz, and many other brewing firms. He retired from active business life in 1886, and now lives at 617 First street. In June, 1857, he married Bertha, the daughter of Gottlob and Dorothea Schuman, of Milwau- kee. Wis. Mr. Schuman immigrated to America from Germany in 1854 and for many years lived on a farm before he retired and took up his residence in Milwaukee. He died in 1882, and five years later was followed by his devoted wife. Two children came to brighten the home of Gottlob Schlenstedt: Herman, and Anna, the wife of G. A. Overmann. Mrs. Schlenstedt passed away on Sept. 25, 1898. Mr. Schlenstedt is always actively interested in both local and national poli- tics, and on national questions is a staunch Republican. He represented his ward as a member of the City Council in 1872, when Mr. O'Neill was mayor. The Sherman Street Lutheran church finds in Mr. Schlenstedt a most loyal supporter, and he is also a member of the Sons of Hermann.
Clement Hackney, deceased, for many years prominently con- nected with the motor power department of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Union Pacific railroads, was born at Warington, England, May 16, 1848. He was the son of George and Martha (Jepson) Hackney, who were both natives of Cheshire, England. George Hackney came to the United States in 1853, and was superin- tendent of the Morgan Iron Works for several years. Subsequently he came to Milwaukee to accept the position of master mechanic of the
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Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, but left to go to Topeka, Kan .. in 1877, to become superintendent of machinery of the Atchison, To- peka & Santa Fe railroad. Mr. Hackney had the honor of being the first man to have charge of a railroad from Chicago to the Pacific coast. After being in the service of the Santa Fe system for twenty-three years he retired from active life. in 1891, and enjoyed a well-earned rest in Topeka until his demise, which occurred in April, 1907. During his life he was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife, who is still living in Topeka, were members of the Episcopal church. Clement, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and in the German-English Academy. After finishing his studies he entered the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad shops and learned to be a machinist. Soon after learning hi- trade he was given an engine, and when only sixteen years old ran from Milwaukee to Madison, the youngest engineer on the road. He was soon promoted, and went to Bay View as master of transportation. Mr. Hackney's rise in railroad circles was rapid, for he was called to To- peka, Kan., in 1878, when only thirty years of age, to become assistant superintendent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad. After occupying this important position for seven years he resigned to accept the position with the Union Pacific railroad, and moved to Omaha, where he became superintendent of motive power for that road. Dur- ing his period of service with the two roads Mr. Hackney became ac- quainted with every phase of railroad management, and saw a great fui- ture for anyone who would engage in construction work. In-1889 he resigned from the Union Pacific railroad, and a year later became interested financially and as superintendent of the Fox Steel Car Company of Joliet, Ill. At the same time he was interested in the Pressed Steel Tank Company of West Allis. Wis. While at the very prime of life, with the brightest prospects before him, Mr. Hackney was called from earthly cares and crossed the great divide on Jan. 6. 1901. He was a loyal supporter of the Republican party and a member of the Chicago and Pittsburg clubs. On April 12, 1869, Mr. Hackney was united in marriage with Miss Mary Stuart, the daughter of Charles and Mary (McNeil) Stuart, old and well-known residents of Milwau- kec. To this union two children were born : Robert Henry, who still lives in Milwaukee ; and Ida Stuart, deceased. Mrs. Hackney's father was a native of New Brunswick, and after growing to manhood lie became a sea captain. After leaving the sea he moved to Chicago. Ill., and continued to reside there until his death. Her mother was born in the Isle of Man : she lived with her husband in Chicago, and after his death moved to Milwaukee. She was a prominent member of the Congregational church, and it lost an ardent worker when she passed away on Dec. 27. 1896.
Henry Harrison Button, retired, was born at Milwaukee. Wis .. Jan. 3. 1849, the son of Henry Harrison and Elizabeth ( Pearson ) But- ton. the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Providence. R. I. A sketch of the father. Henry Harrison Button, appears elsewhere in this volume. Henry Harrison Button, our subject, was educated in a private school in Milwaukee conducted by Christ Steiner. After
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
leaving school he worked in his father's drug store for nearly ten years, after which he went to Europe and spent some time travel- ing through that country. He then learned the cigar-making trade but worked at it for only a short time. His later years have been devoted to looking after the estate left by his father, and from time to time he becomes interested in a few other real estate deals. He lives a retired life at his home at 291 Lyon street. On May 5, 1875, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Lyne, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (McGee) Lyne, of Milwaukee. Their union has been blessed with three children: Alice Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. B. Wright, of Milwaukee; Phebe Louise, now Mrs. W. T. Taylor, of Milwaukee; and Hery H., Jr., who lives at home with his parents and is interested in the coal business with his brother-in-law, W. T. Taylor. In politics Mr. Button votes the Republican ticket, and in church affiliations he is a Unitarian.
Otto J. Schoenleber, principal owner and manager of the Am- brosia Chocolate Company of Milwaukee, was born at 291 Third street, Milwaukee, on Oct. 16, 1858. He is a son of Adolph and Mar- garetha (Kuhnmuench) Schoenleber, the former of whom was born at Tauberbischofhein, Baden, Germany, on June 16, 1825, and the latter at Werbach, Baden, Germany, on Jan. 18, 1826. Adolph Schoenleber learned the trade of cabinet maker in Europe and traveled as a journeyman in that trade all through Germany, Switz- erland, and France. In 1848, during the time of the revolution in Baden, in which Carl Schurz, Frederick Hecker, and many other renowned Germans took an active part, in an effort to wrest Baden from the Prussian dominance, he immigrated to America with the strong tide of sturdy Germans who came to Milwaukee at that time. With a small capital which he had managed to save from the wreck of his German fortune he rented from Byron Kilbourn, the founder of the west side of Milwaukee, the lot where the building numbered 248 West Water street now stands. On this lot Adolph Schoenleber erected a two-story building, in which, until 1854, he conducted a retail furniture and cabinet-making establishment. In the last-named year he purchased from the same Byron Kilbourn the lot which is now 293 Third street, and erected on it a building of three stories in which he conducted the same business for a good many years. The property is to-day in the hands of the Schoen- leber family, who possess as an interesting memento of early days the lease, written by Mr. Kilbourn to Mr. Schoenleber, for the property on West Water street. Otto J. Schoenleber, the subject of this review, attended the public and parochial schools of the city and laid the foundation for a business career by a course in Wulkow's Business College of Milwaukee. Under the preceptor- ship of his father he learned the vocation of cabinet-maker, and for eight years after his father's death was engaged in the retail fur- niture business. In 1894 he established the Ambrosia Chocolate Company, and has since continued successfully as principal owner and manager of the company. This was the first manufactory of its kind in the state, and the product consists of chocolate and cocoa
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made directly from the cocoa bean. At present its trade extends to all parts of the Union and to several foreign countries. A great number of men and women are given employment in the factory. The growth of the industry has been marvelous and exceptional, its output having doubled each year since its inception. The factory occupies a large four-story building, with a floor space on each floor of 50 by 150 feet. The process of manufacture is unique and interesting and annually attracts many visitors. When a young man Mr. Schoenleber was active in politics, especially during the last campaign in which the late Grover Cleveland was a candidate for president. He was secretary and treasurer of the Second Ward Democratic Club, and represented his district on the city and county Democratic committees. Of late years he has grown more independent of party affiliations, although he still sympathizes with the cause of Democracy. He has always refused to become a can- didate for public office, but served for six years as school commis- sioner from the Second ward, his appointment being made in April, 1889. During his term in that office he served as chairman of the executive and high school committees and the committee on sup- plies. He inaugurated reforms in the method of conducting the school board, and the establishment of the West Division high school was directly due to his efforts to carry it against many seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The custom of observing Arbor Day in the public schools, which tends to inculcate in the youthful mind a love for nature and a desire for the beautifying of school grounds, was an idea fostered and brought into its present observance by Mr. Schoenleber. He is interested in music, and in 1890 served as president of the Milwaukee Liederkranz, of which he is to-day a prominent member, as he is also of the Milwaukee Musical Society. He is also identified with the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association and Aurora lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M. He has always taken an active interest in all measures pertaining to the welfare of the city, and was a member of the Milwaukee Auditorium board, the committee of citizens who succeeded in rais- ing the necessary funds for Milwaukee's new convention hall. On July 12, 1887, Mr. Schoenleber was united in marriage to Miss Emma Theede, a daughter of Claus and Marie Theede, of Milwau- kee. Three daughters have been born to bless this union. Marie. the eldest, is a graduate of the Milwaukee Normal school, and at present is a teacher in the Twentieth district school. Gretchen is a sophomore in the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Louise, the youngest, is a junior in the West Division high school. Mr Schoenleber was one of the original organizers of the West Side Bank and has been a director of that institution for the past ten years.
Thomas Henry McElroy has been prominently identified with the newspapers of Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, during the entire period of his business career and may be considered one of the vet- erans of the profession. He was born at St. Stephens, New Bruns- wick, Jan 26, 1838, the son of Samuel McElroy, a native of the Emerald Isle, and Mary (Laughlin) McElroy, who was born and
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
reared in Belfast, Ireland. His father was an ambitious young Irishman, who came to America when he was quite young and lo- cated in New Brunswick, where he became engaged in business in the shipping trade. In 1850 he heard of the many opportunities open to men in the new state of Wisconsin and came west, locating at Berlin, Wis., where he bought a farm and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, which vocation he followed until his death, in 1898. His wife and loving helpmate, the one who shared with him the many vicissitudes and hardships of a frontier home, survived but two years, and in 1900, she too was laid to rest beside her husband in kindly old Mother Earth, all cares and troubles put aside. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy reared a family of five children : William H., of Milwaukee; Alexander, who lives in Rockford, Iowa; Charles J., now a resident of Helena, Mont .; Thomas, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. John McKinney, of Berlin, Wis. Thomas re- ceived his education in the excellent public schools of Berlin, and after finishing his studies entered the printing office of the local paper at his native town, where he remained two years, learning the printers' trade, and then moved to Ripon, Wis., but remained there only one year, as he desired to live in a larger place. In 1856 he came to Milwaukee and found employment as a printer on the force of the old Milwaukee Morning News, and during his long and active career was associated with that paper for a total of eighteen years. In 1858 he went to Waukon, Iowa, and took charge, as proprietor, of the Waukon Transcript, during the Lincoln-Douglas campaign, but at its close, moved to Lansing, Iowa, and remained there until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he came to Mil- waukee and enlisted as a private in Company H, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry. This regiment was organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, in August, 1862, and left the state on Sept. 5. It took part in several engagements in Kentucky and Tennessee and had an important part in the storming of Missionary Ridge. It partici- pated in the battle of Chickamauga and joined the forces under General Sherman in the Atlanta movement. The Twenty-fourth Wisconsin played no inconspicuous part in that campaign and was in the operations in front of Kenesaw mountain, fought at Peach- tree Creek and was with General Thomas through Tennessee and Alabama. It fought valiantly at Franklin, which was one of the severest engagements in which the regiment took part. Mr. Mc- Elroy was with the other members of his company all during the long years of the war and was honorably mustered out of the ser- vice at Nashville, Tenn., June 10, 1865. After returning from the war Mr. McElroy resumed his work on the Milwaukee News, for one year he printed a hotel paper and has since been incessantly engaged in newspaper work. In the seventies he conducted a paper known as the Evening Chronicle, in Milwaukee, for two years. For twelve years he was foreman of the composing room of the Milwaukee News, and for six years worked in other de- partments. Severing his connection with that paper after sev- eral years' employment, he went to Chicago to accept a better offer
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BIOGRAPHICAL
made him by the Chicago Times, but four years later returned to Milwaukee and accepted his old position on the News and re- mained in its service until the paper was consolidated with the Republican. He continued to work for the new organization unul it was bought out by the Sentinel, when he resigned and again went to Chicago. Mr. McElroy was an excellent printer, knew the business of a paper thoroughly, and was taken onto the working staff of the Chcago Times. In 1884 he went to Shullsburg, Wis., where he conducted a local paper for ten years, and in 1894 he moved to Iron Mountain. Mich. There he started the first daily paper in the place and conducted it for nearly a decade. After firmly building up the daily he sold out his interests and estab- lished himself at New Holstein, Wis., where he carried on a paper for four years before coming to Cudahy, in 1907, wher he has since continued to reside. Mr. MeElroy is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never been willing to accept public office. While residing in New Holstein he was elected to the honorable position of Police Justice and filled that trying and responsible posi- tion to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Nov. 13. 1858. Mr. McElroy was united in marriage with Ellen F. Hawkins, of Milwaukee. Five children came to bless this union: William, Nellie, Sheridan V., in business with his father ; Luttie, deceased ; and Bert G. In 1908, Mr. McElroy established the Cudahy Enter- prise, a fine weekly paper. His son, Sheridan, is associated with him in the business, and they are two of the most popular members of the newspaper fraternity of Milwaukee county, where they are well known and respected.
Major Oscar Chrysler, M. D., chief of the medical department of the National Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, is a native of Canada, having been born in Brome county, Province of Quebec, Ang. 9. 1865. his parents being Frederick and Laura M. (Ingalls) Chrysler. The father was born of German parents in the state of Vermont, in 1849, became a resident of Canada when he was but twelve years of age. married early in life, and followed farming in the township of East Farnham. Brome county, until 1877. when he removed to Kent county. province of Ontario. His death occurred near his early home in Brome county. Feb. 7. 1905, and his widow, who is a native of Quebec, is now living in Manchester, N. H. Her people were United Empire loyal- ists. Dr. Chrysler is the youngest of a family of seven children, and the only surviving son. Following is a brief record of his brothers and sisters: Maria Ellison lives on a farm in Brome county; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert Humphrey, of Kent county, Ontario; Catherine is the wife of George A. Truax, a merchant of Farnham, Quebec; Jesse. died at the age of twelve years: Aldora is the wife of E. A. Hayes, of Manchester. N. Il. ; and Henry died of typhoid fever at the same time as Jesse, in his eighth year. Dr. Chrysler was educated in the public schools, an academy and McGill University. His professional training was ac- quired in the medical college of Detroit, Mich., where he completed a three years' course and graduated with the class of 1802. The same
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
reared in Belfast, Ireland. His father was an ambitious young Irishman, who came to America when he was quite young and lo- cated in New Brunswick, where he became engaged in business in the shipping trade. In 1850 he heard of the many opportunities open to men in the new state of Wisconsin and came west, locating at Berlin, Wis., where he bought a farm and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, which vocation he followed until his death, in 1898. His wife and loving helpmate, the one who shared with him the many vicissitudes and hardships of a frontier home, survived but two years, and in 1900, she too was laid to rest beside her husband in kindly old Mother Earth, all cares and troubles put aside. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy reared a family of five children : William H., of Milwaukee; Alexander, who lives in Rockford, Iowa; Charles J., now a resident of Helena, Mont .; Thomas, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. John McKinney, of Berlin, Wis. Thomas re- ceived his education in the excellent public schools of Berlin, and after finishing his studies entered the printing office of the local paper at his native town, where he remained two years, learning the printers' trade, and then moved to Ripon, Wis., but remained there only one year, as he desired to live in a larger place. In 1856 he came to Milwaukee and found employment as a printer on the force of the old Milwaukee Morning News, and during his long and active career was associated with that paper for a total of eighteen years. In 1858 he went to Waukon, Iowa, and took charge, as proprietor, of the Waukon Transcript, during the Lincoln-Douglas campaign, but at its close, moved to Lansing, Iowa, and remained there until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he came to Mil- waukee and enlisted as a private in Company H, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry. This regiment was organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, in August, 1862, and left the state on Sept. 5. It took part in several engagements in Kentucky and Tennessee and had an important part in the storming of Missionary Ridge. It partici- pated in the battle of Chickamauga and joined the forces under General Sherman in the Atlanta movement. The Twenty-fourth Wisconsin played no inconspicuous part in that campaign and was in the operations in front of Kenesaw mountain, fought at Peach- tree Creek and was with General Thomas through Tennessee and Alabama. It fought valiantly at Franklin, which was one of the severest engagements in which the regiment took part. Mr. Mc- Elroy was with the other members of his company all during the long years of the war and was honorably mustered out of the ser- vice at Nashville, Tenn., June 10, 1865. After returning from the war Mr. McElroy resumed his work on the Milwaukee News, for one year he printed a hotel paper and has since been incessantly engaged in newspaper work. In the seventies he conducted a paper known as the Evening Chronicle, in Milwaukee, for two years. For twelve years he was foreman of the composing room of the Milwaukee News, and for six years worked in other de- partments. Severing his connection with that paper after sev- eral years' employment, he went to Chicago to accept a better offer
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BIOGRAPHICAL
made him by the Chicago Times, but four years later returned to Milwaukee and accepted his old position on the News and re- mained in its service until the paper was consolidated with the Republican. He continued to work for the new organization minul it was bought out by the Sentinel, when he resigned and again went to Chicago. Mr. McElroy was an excellent printer, knew the business of a paper thoroughly, and was taken onto the working staff of the Cheago Times. In 1884 he went to Shullsburg, Wis., where he conducted a local paper for ten years, and in 1894 he moved to Iron Mountain. Mich. There he started the first daily paper in the place and conducted it for nearly a decade. After firmly building up the daily he sold out his interests and estab- lished himself at New Holstein, Wis., where he carried on a paper for four years before coming to Cudahy, in 1907, wher he has since continued to reside. Mr. MeElroy is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never been willing to accept public office. While residing in New Holstein he was elected to the honorable position of Police Justice and filled that trying and responsible posi- tion to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. On Nov. 13. 1858. Mr. McElroy was united in marriage with Ellen F. Hawkins, of Milwaukee. Five children came to bless this union: William, Nellie, Sheridan V., in business with his father ; Luttie. deceased ; and Bert G. In 1908, Mr. McElroy established the Cudahy Enter- prise, a fine weekly paper. His son, Sheridan, is associated with him in the business, and they are two of the most popular members of the newspaper fraternity of Milwaukee county, where they are well known and respected.
Major Oscar Chrysler, M. D., chief of the medical department of the National Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, is a native of Canada, having been born in Brome county, Province of Quebec. Ang. 9. 1805. his parents being Frederick and Laura M. ( Ingalls) Chrysler. The father was born of German parents in the state of Vermont, in 1810. became a resident of Canada when he was but twelve years of age. married early in life, and followed farming in the township of East Farnham, Brome county, until 1877. when he removed to Kent county. province of Ontario. His death occurred near his early home in Brome county. Feb. 7, 1905, and his widow, who is a native of Quebec, is now living in Manchester, N. H. Her people were United Empire loyal- ists. Dr. Chrysler is the youngest of a family of seven children, and the only surviving son. Following is a brief record of his brothers and sisters: Maria Ellison lives on a farm in Brome county; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert Humphrey, of Kent county, Ontario; Catherine is the wife of George A. Truax. a merchant of Farnham, Quebec: Jesse, died at the age of twelve years: Aldora is the wife of E. A. Hayes, of Manchester, N. H. : and Henry died of typhoid fever at the same time as Jesse, in his eighth year. Dr. Chrysler was educated in the public schools, an academy and McGill University. His professional training was ac- quired in the medical college of Detroit, Mich., where he condotel a three years' course and graduated with the class of 1802. The same
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