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 14
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III
BIOGRAPHICAL
Milwaukee and includes 1,200 families. At Easter there are about 4,000 communicants. The pupils in the parochial schools number 970, and are under the instruction of fifteen sisters. The church property includes the church, school-house, rectory and sisters' house, and its value approximates $150,000. The buildings are all of brick, and the church is a beautiful specimen of architectural work, both without and within. The organ cost $5,500 and the church has a beautiful altar, a fine church clock and two bells, one of them quite large. The parish is in a very prosperous condition ; there remains some debt, but it is being rapidly paid off, and condi- tions are excellent, considering that the parish is but thirteen years old. The pastor, by virtue of his position, is the presiding officer of the St. Casimir Trinity and St. Stanislaus societies, all large and flourishing parish organizations.
Michael Joseph Domachowski, pastor of St. Adalbert's Catholic church, Milwaukee, born in West Prussia, Sept. 29, 1875, came with his parents, Jacob and Mary (Radomska) Domachowski, to Mil- waukee in 1881. His parents were also natives of West Prussia and the father was a carpenter by trade, retired since 1902, and still re- siding in Milwaukee. He served in the German army, as all young men are required to do in that country. The parochial schools fur- nished the educational training for Father Domachowski's earlier years, and he then became a student at Marquette University, in which he received the degree of A. B. in 1898, and by post-graduate work the degree of A. M. in 1900. His theological training was ob- tained at St. Francis Seminary, and he was ordained to the priest- hood by Bishop Eis, June 22, 1902, and celebrated his first mass on June 29, following, at St. Hyacinth's church, Milwaukee. He was at that time appointed assistant pastor and has since filled that position most acceptably. His especial work is among the young men of the parish, although he gives assistance in all departments as occasion requires. He was prominent in athletics during his col- lege life ; was captain of the football team in 1898, played four years on the senior team of Marquette and was also a baseball player. He ranked third in oratory and participated in a number of important debates. Ile was the president of the literary society of St. Hya- cinth's church and belongs also to the Polish organization of sharp- shooters and to the Sakol Society, a Polish athletic association, and also to the Knights of Columbus.
Francis Robert Czerwinski, assistant pastor of St. Josaphat's Catholic church, Milwaukee, is a native of the city where he now labors, and was born on March 31, 1882. His paternal grandfather was the foreman on a large estate in Poland and had a great repu- tation as a sharpshooter. His parents, John Joseph and Micaelina (Bronkalla ) Czerwinski, both natives of Poland, were born on Aug. IO. 1844, and Sept. 24, 1842, respectively. They came to the United States in 1868, and located in Milwaukee. The father was in his native land the game warden on a large estate, but after coming to America followed the occupation of wood-carver and carpenter. He is a prominent factor in the local politics of the South Side, served
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
as county coroner of Milwaukee county from 1886 to 1888 and was also supervisor from the Twelfth ward of the city from 1894 until 1902. His influence among his countrymen on the South Side is very large, and he is consulted by many of the people of that vicin- ity on matters of importance. He has now retired from active life, and with his wife is passing his declining years in a comfortable home, and respected and honored by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. One son, Martin J., was sergeant in Company B (now Company K) in the National Guard, serving for three years. Francis R. acquired his early education in the parochial schools of the city and then entered Marquette College and subsequently St. Francis Seminary, where he was ordained on June 23, 1907, by Bishop Messmer and celebrated his first mass at the Church of St. Stanislaus, Milwaukee, on July 2, following, and was appointed as assistant pastor in the Church of St. Josaphat, elsewhere mentioned. Rev. Father Czerwinski's college record shows the healthy and nor- mal development of what is termed "an all-round man." He was very prominent in the college athletics-football, baseball, bowling, etc., and during his course held all the offices of the Athletic Asso- ciation ; he was also director of the choir for three years and a rec- ognized leader in this line also ; he took the prize for oratory in Mar- quette College, and also ranked first in oratory at St. Francis Semi- nary. In general class work he was one of the four who held the highest records, these four having exactly the same standing, and was the director of the boys at St. Francis in the production of classic works for five years, taking the leading roles in these dramat- ic performances. His: versatility, supplemented by his careful and thorough preparation for his work, is already recognized by his ap- pointment to a responsible position in a large and important church, where his ability for usefulness will be given the widest opportuni- ties.
Joseph Clement Knitter, pastor of St. Josaphat's Catholic church, in Milwaukee, is a native of Kruszyn, Coeln, Western Prus- sia, and was born on Nov. 24, 1879, coming to this country with his parents in 1888. He was educated in St. Hedwig's parochial school, Milwaukee, and later entered Marquette University, in which he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of A. B., and from the same institution received, in 1902, the degree of A. M. He was ordained from St. Francis, June 19, 1904, by Bishop Messmer, and said his first mass at St. Casimir, Milwaukee, June 26, 1904. His first ap- pointment was that of administrator at St. Vincent's church, Mil- waukee, and his duty was to take charge during the illness of the pastor. After remaining there eight months he was appointed as- sistant pastor of St. Josaphat's, the largest Polish church in the Northwest, and so served from March 1, 1905, until Jan. 1, 1907, being made, at the latter date, the pastor of the same church, and is now officiating as such. There are in this parish between 1,700 and 1,800 families, and it is the largest parish in the Northwest with the exception of one in Chicago. Six thousand persons take com- munion at Easter time. There are 1,700 children in the parish
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BIOGRAPIIICAL
school, which is the largest number that can be accommodated. St. Josaphat's church, which is built of the stone from the old Chicago postoffice, and, begun in 1894, was finished in 1901, has an ordinary seating capacity of 2,200, but has held upon occasions as many as 5,000 at one time. The church property is worth about $100,000 ; the organ cost $10,000, but could not be rebuilt at the present time for less than $15,000. . Briellmaier & Sons were the architects of the church. Rev. Father Knitter has as assistant pastors Rev. Casimir Olszenski and Rev. Francis Cyerwinski. Father Knitter belongs to the Catholic fraternity, the Knights of Columbus. His parents are Roman Alexander and Mary ( Bielawska) Knitter, both natives of the same place, where their son was born, and are both living. The former was born in 1853 and the latter in 1851. The father came di- rectly to Milwaukee upon his immigration to the United States, and is a machinist by trade. The paternal grandfather was for many years a teacher in Prussia.
Chauncey William Yockey, attorney, Milwaukee, is a descend- ant of Wisconsin pioneers, his paternal grandparents, natives of New York, coming to Wisconsin at a very early day. His father, William H. Yockey, was born in Milwaukee, May 2, 1853, and has been with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company for over thirty years. He is a graduate of the engineering department of Syracuse (N. Y.) University, and helped to build the railroad be- tween Ishpeming and Escanaba, Mich. Ella McHugh (Mrs. Wil- liam H.) Yockey was born in Fond du Lac. Wis., Oct. 12, 1859, and is the daughter of Patrick McHugh, who enlisted on Aug. 30, 1862, in Company E. Seventeenth Wisconsin infantry. He was wounded on May 19, 1863, and was mustered out on June 2, 1865. He was also one of the contractors who built the Air Line, now the North- western Railway. between Fond du Lac and Milwaukee. Chaun- èey W. Yockey was born at Waupun. Wis., and was educated in the public and private schools and at St. Mary's College, Dayton, Ohio, in which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of A. B. He further pursued his studies at the University of Notre Dame, Ind., where he received the degree of LL. B. in 1901. After graduation he came to Milwaukee and began the practice of his profession, which he has conducted alone, and has been particularly successful in vigorously prosecuting "loan sharks" for various clients and has been instrumental in obtaining money paid out at usurious rates of interest. He also became prominent as the attorney for the mes- senger boys in their strike of 1903. Mr. Yockey is a Republican and was elected alderman from the Seventh ward of Milwaukee, a ward that represents more wealth than any other in the state. He was the youngest member of the council and probably the most fearless, maintaining the rights of the people without regard to the effect of his actions upon his own political future. Among the points maintained in favor of popular rights was his opposition to appointive offices, believing that the city officials should be selected by the people whose affairs they manage and whose money they expend ; he also opposed the executive session of the committees,
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
and guarded in every possible way against the surrender of the sov- ereign rights of the people. He settled the question of the collec- tion of ashes under a general tax of the city showing that it was permissible under the ordinance, although the law had been de- clared invalid under the city charter. He is chairman of the rail- road committee and vice-chairman of the judiciary and legislative committees and a member of the committees on public building, grounds and harbor of the common council. Mr. Yockey takes a prominent part in local politics, winning the primary nomination for the legislature from the Sixth district, and is a popular and promising young attorney. He is the Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Milwaukee Athletic Club and president of the Cathedral Athletic Club. He is unmar- ried and is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Allen Jacob Schlaefer, D. D. S., prominent as a young dentist of the Cream City, was born in the town of Germantown, Washing- ton county, Wis., on June 15, 1881. He is a son of Andrew L. and Mary E. (Keeler) Schlaefer, the former a native of Washington county and the latter of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Schlaefer, was born in Germany and came to Washington county early in his life. He was engaged in farming all during his life. The maternal grandfather, Joshua Keeler, brought his family from Pennsylvania to Washington county, and is now an honored resident of Granville. Andrew L. Schlaefer was a carpenter by vo- cation, but in later life turned to agricultural pursuits, in which he is now engaged. Both father and mother are members of the Evan- gelical church. Of the six children born to them five are now liv- ing. Dr. Schlaefer received his primary educational advantages in the public schools of Washington county, and completed the high school course. His professional training started with a course in the dental department of the Milwaukee Medical College. He spent one year as a student in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, and then returned to Milwaukee to complete his course. On May 20, 1905, the faculty of Marquette University granted him the degree of Doctor of Dental Science, and soon afterward he opened an office for the practice of his profession. His excellent equipment for the work and his thorough knowledge of the details of the profession soon won for him a fine class of patients, which has been increasing in number every year. Dr. Schlaefer is a stanch member of the Pro- hibition party, believing that the suppression of the liquor traffic is the dominant issue in our national life. His church relations are with the Evangelical society and he is one of the most loyal and earnest workers in the church. In a fraternal and social way Dr. Schlaefer is identified with the Marquette Alumni Association, the Gegenseitige Unterstuetzungs Gesellschaft and others. On July 25, 1906. Dr. Schlaefer was united in marriage to Miss Laura C. Meininger, a daughter of Lewis and Mary Meininger, of Waukesha, Wis. Mr. Meininger is deceased, but his widow is now a respected resident of Ludington, Mich.
II5
BIOGRAPHICAL
J. Edward Hess, D. D. S., one of the younger dentists of the city, was born in Hartford, Washington county, Wis., on April 19, 1879, and is a son of George N. and Anna Barbara (Huels) Hess. The father is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and the mother of Dodge county. The paternal grandparents, Fred and Barbara Hess, came to Illinois from New York. The grandfather died in Illinois, but his widow is living and is now a respected resident of Nebraska. The maternal grandparents, John and Barbara (Orels) Huels, came to Milwaukee early in its history from Germany, but later lived in other sections of the state. Both died in Hartford. Huelsburg, in Dodge county, this state, is named in honor of Mr. Huels. He was a man of many attainments, being a homeopathic physician of ex- ceptional skill beside doing a large mercantile business. He was the founder of the Hartford brewery. George N. Hess, the father, was a hardware merchant for many years, first in Peru, Ill., and later in Hartford. He retired from active participation in business in 1900 and purchased a home at 705 Thirty-third street, where he and his wife are now living. He has always been a Republican in his political belief and is a communicant of the Lutheran church. Of the three children born to the parents two survive. Amanda, the daughter, is secretary and a stockholder in the Krahn Manu- facturing Company. Dr. Hess obtained his primary educational advantages in the public and parochial schools of Washington county and the Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee. He went to Chicago to obtain his professional training, taking the dental course in Northwestern University, and on May I, 1902, was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Science. He at once located in Milwaukee, and has since been engaged in practice. His excellent training and his inherent technical skill have won for him a place in the first ranks of his profession, and his patronage has increased from year to year until now he does a flourishing busi- ness. In politics Dr. Hess is allied with the Republican party, but has never aspired to public office. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, and is now a devout communicant of that faith. While a stu- dent he became a member of the Psi Omega dental fraternity and is prominently identified at the present time with Harmony Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Wisconsin Chapter. Royal Arch Ma- sons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. On July 16, 1908, Dr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Cora Krause, a daughter of H. A. Krause, of Racine.
Elias H. Bottum, born in New Haven, Addison county, Ver- mont, is a descendant of an old colonial family, the first representa- tives in America having come to the Connecticut colony in 1670. The name was originally Winterbottum, but some disagreement having arisen between the two brothers who settled at Saybrook, the name was changed by an act of the general court, one taking the name of Winter and the other that of Bottum. For a century the family remained in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but short- ly before the Revolutionary war Simon Bottum removed from Lanesborough, Mass., to Shaftsbury, Bennington county, Vermont,
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
where he owned a large tract of land. He took part in the Revo- lution as captain of a volunteer company and fought in the battle of Bennington. His son, Elias, moved to Addison county, Vermont, where he was also a large landowner, a prosperous and influential farmer and a county judge and member of the Vermont senate. His son, Elias S. Bottum, who married Mary M. Hoyt, a highly educated and cultured woman, was the father of Elias H. of this sketch. The former was a prosperous and intelligent farmer, his large estate in Addison county having been in possession of the family since 1750. He died at the age of fifty-six years. Elias H. Bottum, born Feb. 28, 1850, was brought up on a farm, but his deli- cate health in early childhood prevented him from taking the usual scholastic training of the country lad, and much of his education was the result of reading at home, a practice for which he early evinced a fondness and which was encouraged by his parents. That his irregular method of education was not to his disadvantage is shown by the fact that when improved health permitted him to enter the Kimball Union Academy at Meriden about the age of fif- teen. he passed rapidly through the course of study of that institu- tion and was graduated from the Middlebury College at Middlebury, Vt., when he was twenty-one years of age. After graduation he went to New York city and began reading law in the office of the distinguished firm of Evarts, Southmayd & Choate, and later con- tinued his legal studies in Columbia (now George Washington) University. at Washington, D. C., and was graduated from the law department in 1873. After careful consideration Mr. Bottum de- cided that Milwaukee presented a promising field for the legal practitioner, and in company with a former classmate, Walter E. Howard, later professor of political economy in Middlebury Col- lege, he opened an office in that city. The partnership was dis- solved the following year by the return of Mr. Howard to the east. In 1878 he formed a partnership with James G. Flanders, and ten years later that firm was consolidated with that of Winkler, Smith & Vilas. While Mr. Bottum in his earlier practice engaged in general legal work, the formation of the larger firm enabled each member to give particular attention to that branch of it for which his natural ability and training particularly fitted him, and Mr. Bot- tum has given much attention to patent cases and ranks among the best patent attorneys in the Middle West. This line of practice has led him into fields of study in mechanics, engineering, chemistry and the allied branches, which lie outside of the domain of the gen- eral practitioner, and he has become an authority in cases where such expert knowledge is necessary. While he has always sup- ported the Republican party, his professional life has left small leisure for participation in practical politics. and he has never cared to assume the cares of political office. In the Masonic circles he ranks high, being a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery of that order. He was married on Oct. 17. 1876, at Schuyler Falls. N. Y .. to Miss Caroline M. Bailey, daughter of the Rev. Augustus F. Bailey. and to the union one daughter, now Mrs. Morris F. Ben- ton, was born.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Filip A. Forsbeck, M. D., is one of the younger physicians of the city of Milwaukee in years and experience, but he already has taken a high place in the professional ranks and is recognized as one of extraordinary promise. Dr. Forsbeck was born in Linkop- ing, Sweden, Feb. 8, 1873, son of Frederick A. and Charlotte (Carl- son) Forsbeck, the former of whom was also a native of Linkoping, born Aug. 5, 1814, and the mother was born in Westervik, Sweden, Nov. 9. 1848. The father was the owner of a large estate in Sweden and also served as provincial forester, that is he had charge of private property belonging to the king and the government. He also served for many years as a member of Congress in Sweden. He died in 1889, but his widow still survives. Filip A. Forsbeck, to whom this review is particularly dedicated, was educated in the academy in his native town of Linkoping, and he migrated to America in 1891, selecting Milwaukee as his place of residence. Soon after locating here he entered the Hahnemann Medical Col- lege at Chicago and graduated from that institution with the class of 1895. He then served as house surgeon in the Hahnemann Hos- pital at Chicago one year, after which he returned to Milwaukee and began the practice of his profession, specializing in surgery from the beginning. He is on the medical staff of both St. Mary's and Emergency hospitals, and is the incumbent of the position of trustee of the latter institution. Among the fraternal societies and professional associations with which he is affiliated are the Mil- waukee Academy of Medicine, the Homeopathic Medical Society of Wisconsin, the American Institute of Homeopathy, the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association ; and he is an honorary member of the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical Society. He is an ex-member of the Wisconsin Board of Medical Examiners, during the incumbency of which position he served as secretary of the board, and he was the founder and assistant editor of the Medical Magazine. He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason. Dr. Forsbeck was married on Sept. 19, 1898, the lady of his choice being Miss Edith Nyman, of Linkoping, Sweden, daughter of O. A. and Selma (Cassel) Nyman, natives of the same place. To this union there have been born three children, of whom Brita Elizabeth, the eldest, is deceased, and the others are Carl Filipson and Edith Selma. Dr. Forsbeck is a Re- publican in his political affiliations.
Byron H. Abert, the efficient proprietor and manager of the Milwaukee Dental Laboratory, is a son of John B. Abert, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and was born in Milwaukee on Oct. 26, 1881. He attended the graded schools and later one of the high schools in the city, and began the study of dentistry under Dr. L. J. Stephan. In 1898 Dr. Stephan and C. C. Winkler organized the Milwaukee Dental Laboratory and Mr. Abert was made a member of the firm. In 1905 Dr. Stephen and Mr. Winkler sold their interests to Mr. Abert, who has since had the sole con- duct of the concern. His natural business ability and enterprise have made of the institution a great success, and it is known now throughout the state. Fraternally Mr. Abert is prominent, being
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, Free and Accepted Masons ; Calumet Chapter, No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, and Wisconsin Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters. Beside his Masonic relations he is enrolled as a member of the Millioki Club, the Mil- waukee Maennerchor and the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Asso- ciation. Mr. Abert is not allied with any of the existing political parties, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage unhampered by party affiliations. On Feb. 15, 1906, occurred his marriage to Miss Lorraine K. Haas, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Rahte) Haas. Mr. and Mrs. Haas came to Milwaukee from Fond du Lac, where they were pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Abert was born on April 14, 1907, a son, Byron Donald.
Ottmar A. Becker, D. D. S., a promising young dentist of the Cream City, was born in Manitowoc, Wis., on Aug. 23, 1878, a son of Albert C. Becker, a native of Germany, and Alvina (Teitgen) Becker, born in Manitowoc county. The paternal grandfather, Major Frederick C. Becker, was a native of Germany, who came to Manitowoc county before the War of the Rebellion. During that struggle he served in one of the Wisconsin volunteer regiments, and after the cessation of hostilities organized Company A of the Second Infantry, Wisconsin National Guard. His death occurred in Milwaukee in 1900. The maternal grandfather was also a native of Germany and a pioneer of Manitowoc county. Albert C. Becker, the father, was a hardware merchant at Manitowoc for a number of years, but recently withdrew from active participation in business and is now living retired. He is a prominent member of the Demo- cratic party, and a well-known fraternity man, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League. His family of three sons and a daughter are all living. He was for a time captain in Company A of the Second Wisconsin infantry, the company which his father organized, and Ottmar A. Becker, the subject of this re- view, also served four years in the same company, from 1901 to 1905, as a private, corporal and sergeant. Dr. Becker attended the graded schools of Manitowoc and Oshkosh and completed a high school course in the latter city. For his professional training he went to Chicago, and there in 1900 was graduated at the North- western Dental College with the degree of Doctor of Dental Sur- gery. He first opened an office in Oshkosh and for four years had an excellent practice in that city, but he desired a larger field, and removed to Milwaukee. He has developed an enviable clientage in this city, and his inherent skill and thorough knowledge of his profession assures him of an even larger success. Dr. Becker is not allied with any political party, believing that to exercise his right of suffrage for the best advantage of the community a man should not be bound or hampered by party affiliation. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is for the second time the incumbent of the office of worthy presi- dent of Milwaukee Lodge, No. 137, of that order. Dr. Becker has made many friends in Milwaukee, who predict for him a brilliant future in his chosen profession.
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