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 125
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John G. Wenzel, one of the popular residents of Milwaukee, is a native of the Cream City. He was born in 1880, the son of John H. and Barbara (Deffun) Wenzel. The parents were born in 1852 and 1850 respectively, in Milwaukee. His paternal grandfather, Carl Wenzel, a native of Germany, immigrated to the United States at an early day and located in Milwaukee. He had mastered the printer's trade in the old country and in 1876 took his son, John H., into part- nership with him. This firm continued to carry on a general printing business for many years. John G. Wenzel, the subject of this sketch, received his preliminary education in the public schools of Milwau- kee until 1896, and when sixteen years of age started his apprentice- ship in the printing business with his father. After learning the trade he went into the office and was advanced to more responsible positions, until he became office manager. When his father retired Mr. Wenzel continued with the parent's successor in business and is now the book- keeper for the firm. He is not affiliated with any political party, but
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exercises his right of franchise for the men and measures he believes will best effect the principles of reform in national and municipal af- fairs. In 1905 Mr. Wenzel married Frieda Schopen, the daughter of John Schopen, of Milwaukee. They have one child, Ruth, born Sept. 12, 1907.
Frederick Leich, Jr., the efficient general superintendent of the Merchants' Police & Detective Agency of the Cream City, was born in Rockford, Ill., May 9, 1882. He is a son of Frederick and Anna J. (Centini) Leich, the former born in Milwaukee Jan. 31, 1843, and the latter in the same city March II, 1844. The paternal grandparents ·were among the early pioneers of Milwaukee, coming to this city while Wisconsin was still a territory. Frederick Leich, Jr., attended the public schools of Milwaukee until 1897, and left school in that year to become associated with his father in the management of the Merchants' Police & Detective Agency. His sagacity and diplomacy especially fitted him for the work and by strict attention to the business he has risen step by step until now, although still a young man, he holds the important position of general superintendent of the company. In his political relations he is not allied with any of the existing parties, pre- ferring to exercise his right of franchise as his judgment and con- science dictate is for the advancement of the city, state or nation. He holds the same views in religious matters, believing that to lead an honest, upright life one need not be bound by creed or sect. He finds recreation in the meetings and regattas of the Milwaukee Yacht Club, of which he is a prominent member. On Oct. 22, 1906, Mr. Leich was united in mariage to Miss Eleanor Louise Michi, a daughter of W. T. and Louise (Rosenfeld) Michi, of Plymouth, Wis. She is the only daughter of the four children born to her parents, all but one of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Leich have no children.
Frank J. Kipp is now living retired in a beautiful home in the city of Milwaukee, after an active career spent in the banking circles in the Cream City. He was born in Milwaukee, Dec. 1, 1857, . and is the son of Jacob and Agatha (Geyser) Kipp, both of whom were natives of Wurtemburg, Germany. The father was a tailor by occupation, learning the trade in his native country, and he mi- grated to the United States in 1844. He first located in the city of Philadelphia, where he followed his vocation for a couple of years, and he came to Milwaukee in 1850. Soon thereafter he entered the employ of Friend Bros., clothiers, and he worked at the trade of tailoring with that firm for a number of years, finally retiring about fifteen years before his death, which event occurred Sept. 29, 1897. His wife died Nov. 12, 1894. They were the parents of seven children : Charles; Mary, the wife of F. A. Schmidt; Louise, the wife of B. P. Zimm; John, deceased; Frank J .; William J .; and George W .; all of the survivors now being residents of the city of Milwaukee. Frank J. Kipp received his education in the public schools of his native city, but left the school room at the early age of thirteen years to accept a position as clerk in the office of Smith & Dalzell, where he remained for a period of three years. He then became a messenger boy in the South Side Savings Bank and re-
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mained in the employ of that institution four years, acquiring a knowledge of the business and being promoted until at the time of leaving the bank he was officiating as teller. He then accepted a similar position with the German Exchange Bank, of which Ru- dolphi Nunnemachier was cashier, and he remained with that insti- tution one year, at the end of which time, in 1879, it was consoli- dated with the Bank of Commerce and became the Merchants' Ex- change Bank. In August, 1888, Mr. Kipp was made assistant cash- ier of the Merchants' Exchange Bank, continuing in that capacity until 1891, when he became cashier, and in January, 1894, when it was merged into the First National Bank, he became the cashier of that institution, remaining in that capacity until he retired from active duties on Jan. 1, 1907. He has never taken a prominent part in political affairs, being decidedly independent in his views, and his vote is recorded upon the side which meets his conscientious approval after due deliberation and intelligent consideration of the questions at issue. Fraternally he affiliates with the Masonic order, having membership in Ivanhoe lodge, and he is also a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Mr. Kipp was married Jan. 28, 1891, to Miss Adele J. Kersting, daughter of Julius and Cecelia (Greulich) Kersting, of Milwaukee, and to this union there have been born two children, Clarence F. and Mildred C. Julius Kersting, the father of Mrs. Kipp, was a native of Hesse-Cassel, born Aug. 6, 1830, and the mother was born in Detroit, Mich., Dec. 16, 1838. The father came to the United States in 1848, locating first at New Orleans, and later in Milwaukee, where his first employment was as a traveling salesman for August Greulich, wholesale liquor dealer. In 1858 he was married, his wife being the daughter of his employer, of whom he later became a partner, which relation- ship continued until forced by ill health to go to Europe, and he died in Switzerland Sept. 12, 1869. His wife died Aug. 31, 1907. August Greulich was born in Baden, Germany, Aug. 3, 1813, and married Margaret Anna Alter, a native of the same place, born Nov. 8, 1821. He came to America in 1834, first landing in New York city and thence went to Boston. Leaving Boston in about nine months he went to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining a short time, after which he resided in Detroit six years. At each of these places he pursued the butcher business, but in 1841 he came to Milwaukee, and in 1842, purchased a farm in Racine county, where he lived un- til 1844, folowing agricultural pursuits. He then settled perma- nently in Milwaukee and opened a meat market, and in 1846 estab- lished a general store in partnership with Herman Haertel, the firm name being, Greulich & Haertel. In 1851 this firm was dissolved and Mr. Greulich bought an interest in the Seebote newspaper, of which he became general manager, continuing so engaged until 1860. He then disposed of his interests in the journal and em- barked in the wholesale liquor business, and soon thereafter took in as partner his son-in-law, Julius Kersting. After Mr. Kersting's death, Andrew F. Greulich, only son of August Greulich, became a partner in the concern, and the business is still continued under
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the name of The August Greulich Company. Mr. Greulich was a mem- ber of the first state legislature in 1848, in 1856 was again a member of the assembly, and in 1857 and 1858 was in the state senate. For about ten years he served in the city council of Milwaukee, and a part of that time was also a member of the board of supervisors. He was on the school board for two years, and for over twenty years was one of the board of managers of the St. Emelianus Orphan Asylum. As will be seen by the foregoing he was highly respected by his fellow-citizens, and during all the years of his public life he devoted his talents and energy to the best interests of the city. In 1848, four years after locating permanently in Mil- waukee, he built a fine residence, in which he celebrated his golden wedding, and where he died, Jan. 3, 1893.
Daniel B. Danielson, one of the prominent general contractors of Milwaukee, who lives at 847, Twenty-second avenue, was born in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 14, 1873. He is the son of Bernard J and Caroline Danielson, who were born in Bergen, Norway, and came to the United States in 1872. They located in Chicago where the father was a carpenter contractor for two years before moving to Milwaukee. He has been a successful general contractor in this city for the past thirty-four years. Bernard Danielson reared a family of three sons and two daughters, namely: Daniel; Inga; Benjamin; Lulu; and Charles. Daniel grew to manhood in Mil- waukee and received his education in the public schools. After finishing school, he learned the carpenter's trade with his father and worked as a journeyman carpenter and at office work for ten years. During this time he was in charge of various pieces of work and recognized the opportunities presented in Milwaukee for con- tractors. In 1900 he determined to go into business for himself and was soon established as a general contractor and in this line he has since achieved marked success. He superintended the erection of the Linderman & Hoverson plant, on Russell and Second avenues ; the new Milwaukee Journal building, Col. Gustav Pabst's residence, on Terrace avenue, the stock judging pavilion and the education buildings at the state fair grounds, the factory buildings for the Rundell Manufacturing Company, at Layton Park, the Italian Gardens at Mitchell. park and many other buildings in different parts of the city. At present he is directing the construction of the library and museum buildings for the seminary at St. Francis. On June 24, 1897, Mr. Danielson was united in marriage to Florence, the daughter of William James and Emma (Schutte) Martin, of Milwaukee. They have one child, a daughter, Rayline. Mr .. Schutte, Mrs. Danielson's maternal grandfather, was the first presi- dent of the Old Settlers' Club, of Milwaukee. Mr. Danielson is a Thirty-second degree Mason and a Republican in politics.
Albert C. Downing, one of the enterprising business men of the younger generation in Milwaukee and a member of the firm of Hummel & Downing, was born in Livingston, Ill., on Oct. 16, 1874. He is a son of Robert V. and Lydia (Hartshorn) Downing, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1832 and the latter
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in New York in 1837. His education was received in the public and high schools of the state of Nebraska. Up to the time he came of age he was engaged continuously in agricultural pursuits. The Hummel-Downing Company was organized in 1900. The firm man- ufactures folding boxes of various descriptions, and all their work is of the highest grade. They were the first people to make fibre shipping cases in this country, and to-day they are devoting a large part of their factory to the manufacture of them. They are also large manufacturers of cut-flower boxes and their products are daily sent to points all over the United States. As an indication of the growth of the concern may be noted the fact that four stories are being added to the factory building in order to accommodate the in- creasing business. Politically he is allied to the policies advocated by the Republican party, but has never aspired to public office. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church and his fraternal con- nections are with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. On June 15, 1898, Mr. Downing was united in marriage to Miss Marie Stedman, a daughter of Hiram and Adeline (Thompson) Stedman, of Berlin, Wis. Four children have come to bless the union- Marion, Hazel, Margery and George.
Robert W. Hindley, who is associated with Samuel A. Schwandt in the management of the Puritan Pharmacy, was born Dec. 15, 1876, in Racine, Wis. He is a son of Dr. Robert C. and Emma F. (Higgs) Hindley, the former of whom was born in Man- chester, England, April 16, 1848, and the latter in Philadelphia in the same year. The father is a graduate of Trinity College at Hartford, Conn., in which institution he received the degree of Master of Arts. For a time he was head master of the Chiltonham Military School and for a short period was assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1874 he came to Racine, and from that time until 1891 he was professor of natural sciences at Racine College, an institution which later conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In the fall of 1891 he returned to Philadelphia and for two years was head professor of chemistry and mechanical engineering in the Phila- delphia Manual Training school. Since 1893, when he again made Racine his residence, he has been consulting and advisory chemist for the Horlick Malted Milk Company of that city. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, and for eight years served in the Racine city council, for six years of the time being its presi- dent. Fraternally he is a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a life member of the Wisconsin Historical So- ciety, and was one of the organizers of the American Chemical So- cicty. The paternal grandfather was John Hindley, a native of England, who came to Charleston, S. C., and engaged in the man- ufacture of cotton-weaving machinery there. Robert W. Hindley is the only child of his parents. His primary education was received in the Racine Grammar School and the Philadelphia Manual Train- ing School, graduating at the latter institution in 1894. Four years
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later he graduated at the University of Wisconsin at Madison with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy. While a student at Madison he took supplemental work in chemistry under Drs. Wohl and Babcock. Upon graduation he accepted a position as first assistant chemist for the Horlick company of Racine, with whom he was as- sociated for a period of four years. Then for two years he was engaged as a mechanical engineer. Later he removed to Chicago, where he served respectively as chemist for the Consumer's Ice Company and head chemist of the fertilizer department of the Armour Company. Upon his return to Racine he established the chemical and physical testing department of the J. I. Case Plow Company. On July 3, 1908, with Samuel A. Schwandt, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of the Puritan Pharmacy. In politics Mr. Hindley is absolutely independent of party ties and prefers to cast his vote as his best judgment dictates. In Masonic circles he is prominent, being identified with Belle City lodge, No. 92; Orient chapter, No. 12, Royal Arch Masons, and Racine lodge No. 7, Knights Templar. He religious associations are with the Episcopal church. On June 12, 1902, Mr. Hindley was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Leech, of Racine. To this union was born, Aug. 19, 1903, a daughter, Eleanor Elizabeth.
Gerhardt Foellings, one of the prominent citizens of the town of Franklin, was born here May 20, 1858, being the son of Henry and Johanna Foellings, natives of Germany, who immigrated with their parents to America about the middle of the Nineteenth cen- tury, and located in the town of Franklin, Milwaukee county. The elder Foellings, our subject's father, took up land and met and mar- ried Johanna Van Dyke, who also lived in Franklin. Nine children were born to them, of whom Gerhardt is the eldest. When his par- ents moved to the town of Muskego, Waukesha county, he was sent to the public and parochial schools there, and after finishing school learned the blacksmith's trade. His father was a wagon-maker by trade, and he had his son Gerhardt help him in the manufacture of wagons. In those early days there were few skilled workmen in the country, and in order to turn out finished wagons, Mr. Foellings learned the painter's trade. For a number of years he worked at wagon-making and then took up land in the town of Franklin, where he has a farm of forty acres, which he conducts in addition to his other business. He is a member of the Democratic party, of which he is a sturdy supporter. On Sept. 15, 1885, Mr. Foellings was united in marriage with Mary Barth, the daughter of John and Anna (Searing) Barth, who were born in Germany and immi- grated to the United States at an early day and were among the pioneer residents of Racine county. Mrs. Barth died some years ago, but her husband still lives in Racine county. Four children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Foellings: Mamie, born in 1887; Annie, born May 18, 1888, and died in 1898; George and Charles, born in 1890 and 1892. The family are communicants of the Catholic church.
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Stanislaus Maternowski, a popular Polish carpenter contractor, was born in Milwaukee, April 13, 1873, and is a son of Martin and Frances (Wloczywoda) Maternowski. The parents are both natives of German Poland who came to the United States in 1865, and settled in Milwaukee, where they still reside. They reared to maturity a family of eight children: Minnie, the wife of Martin Koslakiewicz; Stephen; Annie, now Mrs. Stanislaus Bednarek; Mary ; Stanislaus ; Joseph ; Martin ; and John, deceased. Stanislaus Maternowski was brought up in the city of his birth and he has never known any other home. His education was obtained in the Polish parochial schools, and his apprenticeship in his vocation was served here. For nine years after learning his trade he labored as a journeyman, and in 1906, with the capital which he had managed to accumulate by careful saving, he embarked in the carpenter-con- tracting business. His efforts were attended with success from the start, and from small beginnings the business has rapidly developed until to-day he employs sixteen men. His skill and thorough work- manship have won him commendation in every contract he has finished, and he has undertaken many large contracts, among them recently the carpenter work for the new St. Adelbert's Polish Cath- olic church and school. His other business interests, among other things, include the holding of stock in the Skarb Polski Mutual Loan and Building Association, of which he is a trustee and treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with the Catholic order of Foresters and the Wladylaida Society. On Oct. 25, 1898, Mr. Maternowski was united in marriage to Miss Frances Markowski, a daughter of Albert and Rosa (Spadzinski) Markowski, of Mil- waukee. To them have been born five children: Roman, Polly, Raymond, Mamie and Frank. The family are all communicants of St. Vincent de Paul's Polish Catholic church.
Jacob J. Litza, Jr., the popular city agent of the Miller Brewing Company, was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 29, 1879, a son of Jacob J. and Julia (Ciskowski) Litza. Both parents were born in Posen, Germany, and came to this country in 1873, locating at once in Milwaukee. Since 1893 the father has conducted a department store at First avenue and Clarence streets. He has been married twice ; by his first wife he had eight children : John, deceased ; Jacob J .; Julius, in the United States navy; Benjamin, in the United States army ; Joseph; Mary ; Frank; and Anton, the last three de- ceased. His second wife was formerly Miss Anna Muddlaff, by whom he had eleven children, of whom the following survive : Michael, Felix, Cecilia, Mary, Agnes and Roman. Jacob J. Litza, Jr., was reared to manhood in Milwaukee and attended the St. Stan- islaus parochial school. He began his career at the age of fourteen in a clerical position in a grocery store and in that capacity served for a period of five years. Being ambitious he severed his connec- tion and became associated with the Jung Brewing Company as solicitor, a position he retained three years. His next business connection was with the Miller Brewing Company as their city agent, and he has served with eminent satisfaction to both the
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firm and its patrons in the same capacity ever since. At the break- ing out of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted as a private in Company K of the Fourth Wisconsin infantry, and after a credit- able service of seven weeks was honorably discharged. When the re-organization of the National Guard was effected, later in the same year, he became a member of the same company, then known as Company K of the First infantry, and three years later received an honorable discharge. In politics Mr. Litza is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has never aspired to public office. He is a devout communicant of St. Josaphat's Polish Catholic church. Fraternally he is very prominent, being identified with the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Turners' Society, the Frater- nal Order of Eagles, the Order of Owls and United Commercial Travelers of America. In 1899 Mr. Litza was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Klose, who died in 1905, leaving no children.
Hoyt E. Dearholt, M. D., Milwaukee, was born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, Wis., on March 2, 1879. His parents are S. J. and Ade- laide (Mackey) Dearholt, the former a native of Ohio, born Feb. 18, 1844, and the latter of New York, born July 12, 1845. The paternal grandfather, John Dearholt, a pioneer of and still living in Sauk county, Wis., was born in Baltimore in 1811. Dr. Dearholt was graduated at Rush Medical College of Chicago in 1900, and after special post- graduate work in New York and Europe he entered private practice in Milwaukee in 1902, limiting his practice to deformities and diseases of bones and joints. In 1906, in conjunction with Dr. Thomas H. Hay, Dr. Dearholt established the first permanent private sanitarium in Wisconsin, under the title of River Pines, near Stevens Point, for the treatment of tuberculosis. Since that time he has actively participated in the general management. In 1905 he assumed the managing editor- ship of the Wisconsin Medical Journal, and between that year and 1907 was orthopedic surgeon to the Milwaukee County Hospital. Since 1906 Dr. Dearholt has been consulting and attending ortho- paedic surgeon to the Children's Free Hospital. He is enrolled as a member in the following scientific and public health societies: the American Medical Association; the Wisconsin Medical Society; the Medical Society of Milwaukee County; the Milwaukee Medical So- ciety, of which he served as secretary for some months ; the National Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis ; the Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis Association, of which he is now secretary; the In- ternational Congress on Tuberculosis, being a member of the central committee of that body ; and the American Health League. In a social and civic way he is identified with the Alpha Mu Pi Omega fraternity, the University Club and the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Associa- tion. On Aug. 29, 1907, Dr. Dearholt was united in mariage to Miss Edith Tweeden, born Dec. 15, 1885, a daughter of J. S. and Mineola Tweeden, of Milwaukee. To this union a son, John Winslow, was born on Aug. 22, 1908.
Jacob J. Finger, a prominent stock and dairyman of Milwaukee county, was born at Woodbury, N. J., Dec. 16, 1864. He is a son of Emanuel and Katharina (Ernst) Finger, both of whom were born
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in Germany, the former in 1841 and the latter in 1843. The father came to America in 1860 and settled in Woodbury, where he resided for about six years, and where his marriage occurred. During the war of Secession he was employed as a hostler in the Federal army and served under Carl Schurz. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Woodbury and engaged in truck farming. This labor oc- cupied him for three years and then he removed to Milwaukee county, where he engaged in farming. After three years he turned his atten- tion to the dairy business, an occupation in which he is still actively engaged. He today has the unique distinction of being the oldest dairyman in the county. His wife is also living, enjoying unimpaired health. Five children were born to the parents. Anna, the eldest, is the wife of William Taska, a farmer whose property adjoins the Finger property. Kate is the wife of H. Hochmuth, who resides south of the homestead and is employed in the implement industry at Hale's Cor- ners. Ida resides with her parents ; Henry married Miss Minnie Wolf, by whom he has one child-Emma-and is at present engaged in team- ing and contract grading. Jacob J. Finger, the subject of this review, first attended the district school near his home and then finished his preliminary scholastic training at St. John's Lutheran school in Mil- waukee. He also had four months' work in a course at Meyer's Com- mercial " College, but ill health necessitated the discontinuance of his work in 1888. At the age of fifteen years he be- gan his career as a driver for his father in the milk business, and for fifteen years was continuously engaged in it. He and his father made a specialty of raising thorough-bred Polled Angus cattle and Chester White swine, and when he gave up the driving of the milk route he traveled over the country exhibiting and selling stock. In 1896 mis- fortune overtook Mr. Finger and in one year he lost some $12,000 worth of stock. Since that year Mr. Finger has been devoting himself to the conduct of the farm and the dairy business. His milch cows number from twenty-five to a hundred, and he maintains four green- houses. Each year he cuts 125 tons of hay as feed for the stock which he keeps. The farm of sixty acres adjoins the village of West Allis. Mr. Finger is unmarried. Reared in the Lutheran faith, he is today a devout communicant of the church of that denomination. In his politi- cal belief Mr. Finger is a Republican but has never aspired to hold public office. Mr. Finger's success is due in large measure to the de- termination, thrift, and enterprise, which are such marked characteris- tics of the whole family. Everything which he has achieved has been the direct result of his own individual effort.
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