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 12
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large amount of rental and unimproved property he has a beautiful residence at 1224 Galena street, Milwaukee. On Jan. 4, 1873, he married Miss Marguerite, daughter of Nicholas and Barabra ( Rum- mage) Reinel, both natives of Germany, who came to Milwaukee in 1843, and spent their last days here, he dying in 1873 and his wife in 1895. They had eight children, all daughters and all now married. To our subject and wife four children were born : Rosalie, deceased ; William, deceased; Isabel and Louis C., living. Mr. Demin always entertained a liking for the excitement of politics, and has received recognition from the Republican party, with which lie affiliates. He was at one time supervisor of the Ninth ward, then he was appointed member of the State Central Committee, and for several years he was a member of the Committee of One Hundred. Himself and family are members of St. John's Lutheran church. He began life in poverty at the foot of the ladder, and round by round he has fought his way upward through many diffi- culties until he has reached a point of advantage and successful accomplishments of which he may feel greatly pleased if not justly proud.
Rudolph G. Richter, a prominent dentist of Milwaukee, was born in that city Feb. 28, 1856, being the son of Albrecht and Eliza- beth (Wingfield) Richter, the former born in Saxony, Germany, and the latter in London, England, having met and married in Milwaukee about 1850, the fa-
ther having arrived in said city 111 1848 and the mother in 1842. The father was educated at the University of Leipsic and was a graduate of that institution. He was one of the pioneer dentists in Milwaukee and retired from business sev- eral years ago, dying July 11, 1885. But his widow is still living. There were eight children in the family, of whom five are living. Our subject was educated in the Milwaukee Academy and at the Polytechnic Institute of Frankenberg, Germany. He graduated from the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1879, and has since been in active practice in Milwaukee. On Nov. 21, 1883, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Frederick and Adell (Smith) Rand, natives of Maine, who came to Milwaukee about 1878, both now being dead. The union was blessed by the presence of three sons : Edward R., a student and graduate of the University of Wis- consin and now an engineer ; Charles F. and Henry W., twins. Dr. Richter was a member of the Light Horse Squadron of the National Guard, joining in 1882 and serving until 1893. Politically he votes the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Society ; of the National Dental Association ; the Milwaukee Odontological Society ; and the American Medical Association. He served also as president of the State Board of Dental Examiners. He belongs to the Milwaukee Club and to the Milwaukee Athletic Club.
James I. Jones, a leading dentist of Milwaukee, was born in Cassopolis, Mich., Dec. 25, 1845, being the son of Daniel S. and Selma (Miller) Jones, the former a native of Butler county, Ohio.
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and the latter born in Nunda, N. Y. The parents met and married at Cassopolis, Mich., about 1830, where the father was a carpenter and cabinet maker, which he followed till his death in 1893, and his wife died in 1897. He was active in the Democratic party and held different local offices. They had a family of ten children, of whom eight are living. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Cassopolis, and then learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed from the time he was fourteen to twenty-eight years of age. Then he began the study of dentistry, working in an office for seven years, after which he took a two years' course in the dental department of the University of Michigan. In 1882 he located at Neenah, Wis., and began his practice, remaining there one and one- half years. From there he went to Kaukauna, Wis., staying there in the practice five and one-half years till in 1889 he came to Milwaukee, where he has since resided in active and successful practice of his profession. On May 29, 1889, he married Miss Lillie, daughter of Edward and Louise (Blankenhorn) Kettler, of Mil- waukee. Mr. Kettler was a cabinet maker by trade and is still liv- ing, at the age of 71. Their union was blessed with ten children, all of whom are living. Dr. Jones served his country while yet a mere youth in the Civil war by enlisting as a private in Company L, Ninth 'regiment Indiana volunteers, in March, 1862. He fought in the battle of Shiloh, in many skirmishes and in the siege of Knox- ville, Tenn., and after serving a year and nine months he was hon- orably discharged. In politics Dr. Jones is a Democrat. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Association, the North Side Dental Association ; Wisconsin Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M .; Wiscon- sin Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 24, K. T .; Milwaukee Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F .; Wisconsin Encampment, No. I, I. O. O. F., and the Millioki Club. Whatever he undertakes he does well. He is a first-class dentist and an honorable, upright citizen.
Joseph C. Baird, of the transfer firm of Davis & Baird, was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, being the son of Samuel and Agnes (Murdoch) Baird, both natives of Edinburgh, Scotland. The parents came to the United States and to Walworth county in 1845 and settled on a farm, although the father was a mason by trade in Edinborough. The father died in Walworth county, Wis- consin, in 1854, but the wife and two children are still living. The maternal grandfather and grandmother of our subject were natives of Scotland, but came to the United States and to Walworth county in an early day, where they both died and were buried. Our sub- ject received his education in the public schools of Walworth county and at Troy high school, and in February, 1872, came to Milwaukee, entering the employ of the Davis Bus Line, but in 1883 he became a member of the firm under the firm name of The Davis-Baird Transfer Co. In May, 1880, he married Miss Mary, daughter of John and Mary Dillon, of Milwaukee, early settlers, the wife's parents both being now deceased. The issue of their mar- riage is one son, Chester D., born in September, 1887, who grad-
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uated from the Milwaukee Academy and is now a student at the Wisconsin University. Mr. Baird is a clear-headed business man, thoroughly reliable, and has the respect of all who know him.
Warren B. Davis, D. O., (Doctor of Osteopathy), of Milwau- kee, was born in Fort Atkinson, Rock county, Wis., Jan. 27, 1869, the son of John H. and Esther M. (Hopkins) Davis, the former born in Bangor, Me., Dec. 5, 1834, and the latter in St. Johns, New Brunswick, Aug. 21, 1842. The father came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1849, from Bangor, settling on a farm in Rock county near Fort Atkinson. The subject's grandfather opened a hotel at Fort Atkinson called the Green Mountain House, and after his death the son ran the hotel until 1882, when he went to Faribault, Minn., and farmed near there for fourteen years, when he retired and he and his wife now live with our subject in retiracy. Our sub- ject was educated in the public schools of Faribault, Minn., and then completed a commercial course. He next taught school for two years in Rice county, Minnesota, after which he spent seven years as assistant cashier of the Sutherland State Bank of Sutherland, Iowa. He came to Milwaukee in 1898 after he graduated from the Northern College of Osteopathy of Minneapolis, Minn., and in con- junction with Dr. Cherry, founded the Milwaukee College of Oste- opathy, Dr. Davis becoming dean and secretary-treasurer. This in- stitution was later merged with the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo. Since that time Dr. Davis has been practicing with success according to the principles of his chosen school in Mil- waukee. On Aug. 16, 1893, he married Miss Nettie J., daughter of Bartlett and Ann (Wilbur) Adams, of Faribault, Minn., who came from Vermont of English stock, both now deceased. The issue of this union was two sons, Earl Adams, born March 29, 1895, and Paul Herbert, born June 2, 1897. A sister of Dr. Davis, Abbie S. Davis, graduated from the Faribault High School, taking then a special course at the University of Minnesota for one year, and then she graduated from the Northern School of Osteopathy of Minne- apolis, Minn., Feb. 1, 1899. She entered the practice of osteopathy at Ashland, Wis., remaining there two and one-half years, since which time she has been engaged with her brother in this city. Through the Davis' and Bartlett's the genealogical tree makes di- rect connection with the earlest New England settlers. In politics Dr. Davis is a Republican. In religion himself and sisters are mem- bers of the Baptist faith. He is a member of the Milwaukee Oste- opathic Society, the Wisconsin State Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Association, a trustee of the A. T. Still Re- search Institute ; of Wisconsin Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and of the M. W. A. and the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Like all other graduates of Osteopathy, Dr. Davis and his sister, Dr. Abbie S. Davis, are deeply devoted to their idea, and, without fear or affec- tation, they bravely defend their position.
William T. Hardy, D. D. S., of Milwaukee, was born Dec. 14, 1877, in Otsego, N. Y., being the son of J. Henry and Henrietta (Ferguson) Hardy, the former born in Otsego county, N. Y., June 7,
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1853, and the latter in the same county and state Dec. 3, 1850. The parents came to Menominee, Wis., in 1880, remaining there until 1891, when they went to Camp Douglas, Wis., for three years, then came to Milwaukee, living here until 1902, when they moved to Duluth, Minn., where they are still living. The father is in the em- ploy of the Standard Oil Co. By appointment of Governor Peck he was custodian of the Military Reserve at Camp Douglas, Wis., from 1891 to 1893, inclusive. He was alderman at Menominee for two years. In politics he is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Plymouth Congregational church. William T. Hardy was educated in the public schools of Menominee. In 1903 he graduated from the Milwaukee Medical College and has been in active prac- tice ever since. The paternal grandfather of subject was William Hardy, a native of Otsego county, N. Y., who was a farmer, and is now living retired. His wife was also a native of Otsego county. The maternal grandfather was Thornton Ferguson and his wife was Lavinia (Peck) Ferguson, both early settlers of Otsego county, where they lived and died. The great grandparents on the mother's side were participants in the American Revolution. Our subject was president of the senior class when he graduated and was presi- dent of the Alumni of his school in 1906. He is also a member of Camp Douglas Lodge, No. 272, F. & A. M., of Wisconsin Chapter, No. 7. R. A. M., of Wisconsin Council, No. 4, R. & S. M., and in his political predilections he is a member of the Democratic party.
Bessie Calvert Childs, D. O., a practicing physician of that school of Milwaukee, was born at Jonesville, Hillsdale county, Mich., March 5, 1880, being the daughter of Rev. Edwin W. and Hel- en (Force) Childs, the former born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 18, 1832, and the latter in Utica, N. Y., in 1838. The parents came from Cleveland, Ohio, to Jonesville, Mich., in 1862, where the father had accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church, which charge he held for nearly twenty-five years. Upon his resignation the family removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., where Mrs. Childs conducted a private school for the children of the uni- versity professors. In 1887 Mr. Childs removed to Granville, Ohio, where he was pastor of the Presbyterian church for ten years, and finally came to Milwaukee in 1897, where he has since led a retired life. The father of our subject was graduated from the Western Reserve (now Adelbert) University of Cleveland, Ohio, in which institution he taught for three years before entering the ministry. The mother of our subject was a graduate of the Western Female College at Oxford, Ohio, and for three years was teacher of music. there. Four children are living: Mary Louise, a graduate of the Northwestern University, and also a student at Ann Arbor and Harvard universities, then a teacher at the Western Female Col- lege at Oxford, Ohio, and for eighteen years last past a teacher of English History and Civics at Cook County High School at Evans- ton, Ill .: Daisy, wife of Charles T. Atwell, of Zanesville, Ohio ; Edward P., a graduate of Denison University. Granville. Ohio, and student of Michigan and Harvard universities, who is at present the
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president of the Normal College at Asheville, N. C., and the youngest, Bessie C., the subject of our sketch. The history of the family thus shown indicates conclusively that they were people of high intellectuality and great force of character. Our subject was educated for three years at Granville College and for three years at the Western Female College at Oxford, Ohio. She began the study of Osteopathy at the Milwaukee College of Osteopathy and grad- uated from the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., in 1902, and since then has been in successful practice of her profes- sion in Milwaukee. She is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the Wisconsin Osteopathic Association, the Milwaukee Osteopathic Society and of the Axis Club Sorority of Kirksville, Mo. The father and brothers of our subject are members of the Republican party, while in religion the father is a Presbyterian. Our subject is a member of St. James Episcopal church, Milwaukee. Notwithstanding the fact that the school meets with intense and direct opposition from the older schools, she stands fearlessly in the forefront to champion the medical principles for which the school at Kirksville has become famous, and we do not hesitate to say that her opponents find in Dr. Bessie Calvert Childs a fair foe- man worthy of their best steel.
Lee S. Rumsey, D. D. S., one of the popular young dentists of Milwaukee, who is engaged in the active practice of his profession at 325 Hanover street, was born at Olean, Cattaraugus county, N. Y .. in the valley of the Alleghany river, Sept. 3, 1873. His father was Obediah Rumsey, born at Washingtonville, N. Y., and his mother was Flora (Watson) Rumsey, a native of New York state, where she was born in 1820. The elder Rumsey was a tailor by trade, but gave up this vocation to engage in farming and at the time so many people were leaving the older states in the East he emigrated to Illinois and took up land near McHenry, but subsequently returned to New York and lived at Elmira for six years. About 1882 he came to Wisconsin and bought a farm near Darien, in Walworth county. Two sons were born to Mr. Rumsey at the home on the old farm, Ray L., who is a farmer in Walworth county still, and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Rumsey was a Whig during his early life and later was a supporter of the Republican party ; he and his wife were members of the Congregational church of Clinton Junc- tion, Wis., and he was an active member at the time of his death in 1893. Mrs. Rumsey has lived a quiet, retired life since her husband died, making her home at Walworth, Wis. Lee attended the public schools of Walworth county and graduated from the high school at Clinton Junction, and as he determined to secure a professional education, entered the dental department of the New York Medical College, where he studied for two years. He made rapid progress there and in 1898 passed the examination given by the State Dental board of Wisconsin and was admitted to practice. Since that time he has a growing and lucrative practice at 325 Hanover street. In 1897, on the 14th of February, Mr. Rumsey was united in marriage with Ada, the daughter of Joel Stevens, of Plainfield, Wis. Her parents
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came west from Williamsport, Pa., and located in Wisconsin at an early day. Three children have been made welcome in their home: Chester R., Leroy C. and Beatrice, all of whom are at home. Mr. Rumsey's church affiliations are with the Congregational church of Clinton Junction, Wis., of which he is a member, and in politics he is a Republican.
William S. Griffiths, D. D. S., one of the well known and repre- sentative dentists of Milwaukee, where he has been established in a successful practice for more than twelve years, is a native of the Cream City, born there Sept. 2, 1870, and is of American and Eng- lish descent. His father was William S. Griffiths, born in New York city, April 19, 1842, and his mother was born in Liverpool, England, Aug. 6, 1846. They came to Milwaukee in 1865 and Mr. Griffiths has been associated with the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road in various capacities of trust since that time. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Baptist church. The subject of this sketch is one of the five children born to his parents and reared in Milwaukee. He received his education in the public schools of the city and later studied under a tutor, taking an advanced course. He desired a professional training and matriculated at the Chicago Col- lege of Dental Surgery, where he duly received his degree as Doc- tor of Dental Surgery in 1896. Since that time he has engaged in practice in his native city and has won marked prestige as an able and popular dentist. On June 27, 1900, he married Jennie, the daughter of Julius H. and Johanna (Salentine) Cordes, of Milwau- kee. Dr. Griffiths is a member of the South Baptist church and is an independent in politics, taking a lively interest in any movement towards reform, but preferring to be bound by no party ties when casting his vote. He is a member of the Southern Wisconsin Dental Society, the Milwaukee Dental Society, and has fraternal re- lations with the Masons and Knights of Pythias, being a member of Excelsior Lodge, No. 175, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Walk- er Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Henry P. Hoehl, D. D. S., one of the representative members of the dental profession in Milwaukee, was born in the Cream City March 7, 1872. His parents were Philip and Martha (Thiel) Hoehl, both of whom were natives of Germany, and immigrated to the United States about the middle of the nineteenth century. They met and were married in Milwaukee, where the elder Hoehl was a hatter for some years. Later he became interested in the dry goods business and was engaged in it for a number of years. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoehl, all of whom are still living. The father passed away July 2, 1887, leaving a widow, who is still living in Milwaukee. Mr. Hoehl had been a good and devoted fa- ther, and his loss was keenly felt by his family and large circle of acquaintances. When the Civil war broke out he responded to the call of his adopted country and enlisted as a private in the volunteer infantry of New York state, in 1861, and served with credit to him- self and honor to his regiment at the battle of Antietam, and was mustered out of the service at the end of two years. Henry was
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educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and attended the Meyer Business College. A business career did not appeal to him and he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, but after studying there for a year returned to Milwaukee and completed his course in the dental department of Marquette College, where he was graduated in 1896, and received the well earned degree of Doc- tor of Dental Surgery. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Milwaukee at 760 Third street, and is
recognized as one of the most able members of his
profession and controls a large and representative prac-
tice. Mr. Hoehl is a member of the Marquette Alumni Association, the Northern Dental Society, the Millioki Club and the Gegenseitige Unterssuetzungs Gesellschaft Germania Cen- tral Verein. Mr. Hoehl is not associated with any party in politics, believing that it is better to exercise his privilege of franchise to vote for the principle involved and to put the best man in for local and national offices than to be bound by party lines. IIe was united in marriage Nov. 19, 1898, to Rosina, the daughter of Henry Mol- lerns, of Milwaukee. Their home has been brightened by the birth of one daughter, Gertrude Martha.
Jeremiah Goble Harrison, D. D. S., who is established in the successful practice of his profession at 416 East North avenue, Mil- waukee, is one of the rising men of his profession in the Cream City. He is a native of the Badger State, born at La Crosse, Wis .. Nov. 16, 1872, being a son of William L. and Mary A. (Goble) Har- rison, who were born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1834 and 1836, re- spectively. During the early days of settlement in this state they came west and settled in Jackson county and subsequently moved to La Crosse. William Harrison learned the cabinet maker's trade when he was a young man, but later became a mason and followed this vocation in Wisconsin. Five sturdy sons and two daughters were born to these pioneers, all of whom are still living. Mr. Har- rison became one of the members of the Republican party when it was founded and was one of its stanchest adherents. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Baptist church, and it lost a loyal supporter and loyal working member when Mrs. Harrison was called from earthly cares and duties in 1894. Her husband, with whom she had shared the vicissitudes and hardships of life in a new country, survived her but one year. La Crosse lost a loyal and public spirited citizen and one mourned by all his acquaintances and friends. Jeremiah, the subject of this sketch, secured his early educational discipline in the common schools of La Crosse and com- pleted a course in the high school. After finishing his studies he secured a position with a firm that conducted a business in paint- ing, paper hanging and house decorating, and during the years he was associated with them became an expert in that line. He was ambitious and not content to work for others and decided to take a professional course, and matriculated in the dental department of Marquette College, Milwaukee, where he was graduated in 1901. and duly received his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from this
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excellent institution. He located at 416 East North avenue the same year, where he is building up an excellent business and meeting . with gratifying success, being closely devoted to his profession and finding it worthy of his entire attention in the matter of continued study and investigation as well as active practice. He is a loyal supporter of the cause of the Republican party. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, and fraternally he is identified with the Hartland Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is also a member of the Alumni Asso- ciation of Marquette College. On June 17, 1903, Mr. Harrison was united in marriage with Gertrude, the daughter of William and Hannah (Luck) Notbohm, of Delafield, Wis. Mr. Notbolım is de- ceased, but Mrs. Notbohm still resides at the old home in Delafield.
Rev. George Regenfuss, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, of Milwaukee, was born in Germantown, Washington county, Wis., Oct. 18, 1878. His grandfather came to this country in 1845, residing for some time in Milwaukee, whence he proceeded to Germantown, where he took up farming and established a brew- ery. Jacob Regenfuss, the father of Rev. Regenfuss, was a native of Bavaria, and came to America when eight years of age, following the occupation of his father, that is, farming, but he retired from active work since and now resides in Milwaukee. The maternal grandfather emigrated from Nassau, Germany, about 1850, and aft- er living for a few years in Milwaukee, moved his family to Ger- mantown, Wis. Mrs. Regenfuss, who before her marriage was Elisabeth Rossbach, was born in Nassau, Germany, and is still liv- ing. Rev. George Regenfuss attended the public and parish schools of Germantown, and in preparation for his work in the priesthood entered St. Francis Seminary and was ordained on June 22, 1902, by Bishop Frederick Eis, of Marquette, Mich. He said his first mass at the Church of St. Boniface, Germantown, Wis., on June 25, 1902, and was immediately appointed assistant pastor of St. Mary's church, Milwaukee, Wis., by Rev. A. F. Shinner, vicar-general of Archbishop Katzer. During the lingering sickness of Rev. H. Will- mes, the pastor of St. Mary's, Rev. Regenfuss assumed the duties of pastor and was favorably mentioned as a possible successor. During the six years of his pastorate of St. Mary's Father Regen- fuss has taken a lively interest in all doings of the parish. He has been at the head of all committees and the leader of all entertain- ments which have terminated so successfully. His undertakings were financially so successful that the debt of the parish has been greatly decreased during his time. He takes a lively interest in edu- cation and has charge of all catechetical instruction at the school. His eminence as a pulpit orator is promising. He is very much beloved by the people of St. Mary's, who bespeak for him a brilliant and successful future.
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