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 16
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BIOGRAPHICAL
politics he is a Republican, and has twice represented his party in the county convention. He belongs to the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin State Bar associations, and is also a member of the fra- ternal order, Knights of Columbus, and of the social organizations, the Blue Mound Club and the Calumet Club, being president of the latter. On Feb. 15, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Gene- vieve Hickey, of Milwaukee, and to the union one daughter, Mary, has been born.
Samuel Frederick Peacock, of the firm of S. F. Peacock & Son, Milwaukee, is a native of England, having been born in Leeds, Yorkshire. April 27, 1847. He is the son of Francis and Annie Stead Peacock, the former of whom came to the United States in 1843 and then went back and returned with his family in 1848, being engaged in the mercantile lumber business. In August, 1861, he en- listed as a private in Company B, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin in- fantry. and was wounded in the left shoulder in the first battle of that regiment, and was sent home on sick furlough, dying four months later, Dec. 11, 1863, in Milwaukee. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery. The mother died on July 9, 1889. Samuel F. was reared and educated in Milwaukee and opened his present business on Jan. 1, 1877, and has been for many years one of the leading undertakers in the city, having at the present time charge of more burials than any other firm in Milwaukee. Politically he is allied with the Dem- ocratic party and in religion he is a member of the Catholic church. He belongs to a number of fraternal organizations, among which are the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler : Junior Council of National Union, Catholic Foresters, Catholic Knights, Sons of Veterans, of which he is Past Commander: and he was the organizer of the Wisconsin State Funeral Directors, concerning his association with which the West- ern Undertaker of November, 1907, says: "No more appropriate sentence could be uttered than these Latin words: Palman Qui Meruit Ferat'-Let him who has won bear the palm. Few under- takers can boast of having served their associations for a quarter of a century. The fact that Wisconsin has had one of their members continuously in office for twenty-five years is a test of ability as well as geniality. When a member is accorded such a privilege it is because of his popularity among the members of the association. Samuel F. Peacock, of Milwaukee, has had this pleasure and his services have been 'communi consensu,' his fellow members having kept him in office all this time. To serve man means the serving of the Lord, hence Mr. Peacock has done good, having been an ener- getic and tireless member to the close of the twenty-sixth annual meeting. In his last report he spoke as follows: 'I thank you for the honors you have conferred upon me in the last twenty-six years. I have been most of the time an officer of your association. I ap- preciate your kindness, and I must say this will be the last report you will receive from Samuel F. Peacock, for I step aside now. I want to thank you before I do it, because I want to help make room for the younger and growing members you are getting in this asso-
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ciation. I hope in the next twenty-six years you will do doubly as well as in the past. I don't want it understood, gentlemen, that I intend losing interest in the association. If Providence spares me you will find me with you, furthering the interests of every mem- ber of this association for many years to come. The reason I speak about this is, I do not wish to run again for office. I positively want to thank you once again for all.' Surely Mr. Peacock will not for- sake nor lose interest in the association. Why should he? He was one of the founders of it, in fact, the father of it. Few of those present who listened to his remarks knew what an effort it cost him to make them, for his heart reveled within him, like a boy leaving his parents' home, whose loving associations dated back from early memory. There are other active members who show great interest in association work, deserving of much praise for the good work they have done ; but none ever held office for a quarter of a century. Yet Mr. Peacock looks and acts as though he would be capable for another twenty-five years. He will be welcomed to lend his shoul- der to the wheel of progress 'duranta vita.' " In the last named organization he served as president, four terms; vice-president, three terms; chairman of the executive committee, one term; and also as chairman of both legislative and finance committees; and has just made his sixteenth annual report as treasurer. He is reck- oned among the successful business men of Milwaukee, and is pop- ular in social and fraternal as well as in commercial circles. On Dec. 10, 1869, he was married to Miss Hattie Downer, daughter of Frederick and Margaret Downer, of Milwaukee, and to this union two children were born: Frank J., who married Miss Mary A. Birkle, has three children : Urban F., Frank A. and Samuel. Frank has been in partnership with his father since 1889 and is also a mem- ber of the Catholic Knights, Catholic Foresters and Knights of Co- lumbus. The daughter, Hattie, married John Roddy, who is em- ployed by the T. A. Chapman Co. in the credit department.
Joseph Mietus, D. D. S., a rising young dentist of Polish birth, is a son of Michael and Mary Mietus and was born in Poland on March 17, 1874. The father was born in 1840 and the mother in 1847 and never left their native land. The mother died in 1878, but the father, who has always earned his living by farming, still sur- vives. During the last memorable struggle, in 1863, in which Po- land attempted to gain her freedom, the father was enlisted in the patriots' cause. The parents had two children, twin sons, and a sketch of the other, John, appears elsewhere in this volume. Dr. Mietus attended the public and parochial schools of his native land and attended one of the gymnasia maintained by the Austrian gov- ernment. In 1891 he migrated to the United States and located in Buffalo for a time, but afterward traveled through different parts of the country. When he had become thoroughly conversant with American customs and manners he determined to make dentistry his life profession and accordingly matriculated at the Chicago Dental College. The faculty of that institution granted him the de- gree of Doctor of Dental Science in 1903, and immediately after
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graduation he removed to Milwaukee and opened an office. For five years now he has been most successfully engaged, and has built up a large and lucrative practice that is well worthy of emulation. In political matters Dr. Mietus is a stanch adherent of the tenets and principles of the Democratic party, but has never sought public office. In a professional and social way he is prominently identified with the Milwaukee County Dental Society, the Tribe of Ben-Hur, the Polish National Alliance, the Sharpshooters' Club and the Pol- ish Turners. His religious relations are with the Roman Catholic church. On May 30, 1906, Dr. Mietus was united in marriage to Miss Mary Goral, of Milwaukee, Wis., a daughter of Casimir Goral, now of Milwaukee. To this union has been born one child, Roland Felix.
Leonard Joseph Bachinski, M. D., a young physician of Mil- waukee, whose friends predict for him a brilliant future in his chosen profession, was born in the Cream City on Aug. 23, 1885, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Szturmowski) Bachinski. Both par- ents are natives of German Poland, and belong to that class of Mil- waukee's foreign population which has made the city one of the most successful industrial centers of the West. The father, who came to Milwaukee in 1875, is a brewer by vocation and now re- sides at 1020 Cambridge avenue. The paternal grandfather, Mich- ael Bachinski, was a participant in the last Polish insurrection and succumbed to wounds received in that memorable struggle. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Szturmowski, was a soldier in the Franco-Prussian war, and after the cessation of hostilities came to Milwaukee in 1873. His demise occurred on May 22, 1908. Dr. Bachinski received his preparatory education in the public and pa- rochial schools of his native city and for five years attended Mar- quette College. He then matriculated in the medical department of Marquette University and after he had finished with honor to himself the prescribed course the faculty of the institution granted him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1908. He at once began the practice of his profession with his offices at 29 Wright street, and although he has been engaged but a comparatively short time he has enjoyed a lucrative practice and has won the respect of his fel- low practitioners. His religious belief is Roman Catholic, but in his political relations is not allied with any political party, prefer- ring to exercise his right of franchise as his conscience and judg- ment dictate rather than be hampered by party ties.
Hugo F. Nicholus, D. D. S., one of the younger generation of dentists in the city, was born in West Bend, Washington county, Wis., on Nov. 11, 1876, a son of John H. and Augusta (Krause) Nicholus. The father was born in Germany in 1838 and the mother in Jackson, Washington county, in 1848. The paternal grandpar- ents, Louis and Louisa (Hart) Nicholus, came from Germany and spent their last days in Washington county. The maternal grand- parents, Frederick and Louisa Krause, were also native Germans, who came to Washington county and spent the balance .of their lives there. The father, John H., was a farmer for a number of
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
years and then for a time was in the hotel business in West Bend. In this last occupation and in the realty business he was so success- ful that he was enabled to retire in 1893 and remove to Milwaukee, where he has since lived. All of the seven children born to the parents are living. Dr. Nicholus attended the public and high schools of West Bend and then studied telegraphy. At the age of seventeen years he was a telegraph operator and train dispatcher. He served in this capacity for a period of five years and then matric- ulated in the dental department of Marquette University. The fac- ulty of that institution granted him the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1902, when he had completed the prescribed course, and he immediately opened an office for the practice of his profession. His success has in large measure been due to his careful attention to details, his courteous treatment of patients and his thorough mastery of his art. In politics the doctor does not ally himself with any faction or party, but exercises his right of suffrage for what he judges is the best interest of the community. He is prominently identified as a member and worker with the Bethlehem Lutheran church and fraternally and socially is associated with the North Side Dental Society and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Dr. Roman J. Paradowski, a popular dentist among the younger members of the odontological fraternity in Milwaukee, was born in the Cream City on Aug. 9, 1882. He is a son of John and Eva (Brzezinski) Paradowski, both of whom were born in German Po- land, the father in 1845 and the mother five years later. The par- ents came to Milwaukee in 1878, and the father was engaged as a fireman for stationary engines for a number of years. His death occurred in 1894 and his wife died some four years later. Of the eight children born to the parents four survive. Dr. Paradowski en- tered the parochial schools of the city when he was but six years of age, and remained in them until he was thirteen years old. After four years of work he again took up his studies, matriculating at St. Francis Seminary. He completed the classical course in five vears and followed with a year's course of study in philosophy. The following year he worked at the Wisconsin Dental Laboratory, and since then, about three years now, he has been an assistant to Dr. A. G. Rozmarynowski. Although he is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party, he has never sought public of- fice. His religious belief is Catholic, and he is a devout communi- cant of the Polish Catholic church. His only fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Paradowski is of a kindly. genial manner, with a host of friends, who predict for him a brilliant future.
Anton George Rozmarynowski, D. D. S., was born in Mil- waukee on March 24, 1882, and is a son of Kazmier and Marcianna ( Pochowski) Rozmarynowski. Both parents were born in German Poland, the father in 1857 and the mother some years later. The father came to Milwaukee when still a young man and was actively engaged in business for a number of years, but is now retired. Of the family of six children three survive. Dr. Rozmarynowski re-
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ceived his primary education in the parochial and public schools of the city. His professional training was obtained in the dental de- partment of the Milwaukee Medical College, at which he was grad- uated on June 22, 1904. He immediately began active practice and has since been most successfully engaged in it. The doctor is not allied with any political party, and is a devout communicant of the Polish Catholic church. He is prominent fraternally, being a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Knights of Columbus and the Polish National Alliance. Dr. Rozmarynowski is a young man with many friends, who predict for him a brilliant future in his chosen profession.
Robert S. Johnston, S. J., one of the professors of classics, his- tory and English at Marquette University, was born in Troy Cen- ter. Milwaukee county, on Dec. 11, 1874. He is a son of Robert A. Johnston, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Father John- ston's primary education was received in the parochial and private schools of Milwaukee, and in 1891 he was graduated at Marquette College with the degree of bachelor of arts. The same year he en- tered the novitiate of the Order of Jesuits at Florisant, Mo., and for three years pursued a course of study there. This was followed by a three years' course in philosophy and science at St. Louis Univer- sity. Then for a period of four years he was professor of classics, English and mathematics at Detroit College and served in a like capacity at St. Xavier's College of Cincinnati for another year. At the end of that time he went to St. Louis and spent four years in post-graduate study preparatory to entering the priesthood. In 1905 he was ordained as a priest of the Roman Catholic church and in August. 1907, became professor of the classics, English and his- tory in Marquette University, the position which he has since filled. He is not allied with any political party, but takes a keen interest in public affairs and exercises his right of franchise to what he judges is the best advantage of the community. Father Johnston is a member of the Society of Jesus.
Reverend Victor Putten, S. J., deceased, former member of the faculty of Marquette University, was born in Holland on Feb. 26. 1845. He received his primary education in the public and pa- rochial schools of his native land, and was there ordained to the priesthood in 1868. The same year he came to the United States and entered the House of Study at Woodstock, Md. For a period of a year he was a member of the faculty of St. Ignatius College, Chicago, and for four years following served in the capacity of mis- sionary. He had pastorates at Cincinnati, Ohio, and St. Charles, Mo., for periods of six and three years, respectively, and in 1885 came to Milwaukee to join the faculty of Marquette University. Following that time he continued his association with the institut- tion, and he held in the past twenty years various offices in it. At the time of his death, Oct. 2, 1908, he was the incumbent of the office of treasurer. Father Putten was a man of fine intellect and scholarly attainments and he had the respect of all the students. He was not allied with any political organization, but exercised his
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
right of suffrage as his judgment told him would be for the best welfare of the community. He was a member of the Society of Jesus.
Rudolph C. Gruettner, D. D. S., one of the leading practitioners of dental surgery in Milwaukee, with offices at 420 Eleventh avenue, was born in the Cream City on Jan. 3, 1876. He is one of seven children of Gustave A. and Louisa (Hellberg) Gruettner, all of whom are living. His paternal grandparents were natives of Ger- many, who came to the United States early in life and spent the re- mainder of their days in Milwaukee. The maternal grandparents were also born in the Fatherland and became early residents of Mil- waukee, the grandfather having been a distiller, with a place of busi- ness on the site of the present West Park. The father was an agri- culturist and dairyman, and a devout communicant of the Lutheran church. His death occurred in 1899, but his widow is still living. Dr. Gruettner received his scholastic training in the public schools of Milwaukee and graduated at the South Division high school. Then he entered Milwaukee Medical College in the department of dental surgery, and in 1900 was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Since that time he has been in the active and successful practice of his profession. In his political beliefs the doc- tor is a Republican and does his best to bring about the success of his party at the polls. His church relations are with Bethany Pres- byterian church. In fraternal matters he is known as a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, and is connected with the Wis- consin State Dental Society and the Marquette College Dental Alumni Association, his alma mater since his graduation having be- come a part of Marquette University. He is also a member of the State History Society. On Nov. 24, 1903, Dr. Gruettner was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Eaton, of Cudahy, Wis., a daughter of Hon. Barney and Catharine Eaton. To this union have been born two children-Loraine Madelaine and Rudolph Edwin.
Edwin A. Showalter, Ph. G., a leading pharmacist of Milwau- kee, and at the present time president, treasurer and manager of the Union Pharmacy, is a native of Milwaukee, where he was born on Oct. 20, 1875. His parents, Charles B. and Christine (Hertzer) Showalter, were also born in Milwaukee, the father on Jan. 6, 1848, and the mother on Oct. 28, 1854. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Charles Showalter, a native German, who came to Milwaukee when but eleven years of age and spent the re- mainder of his life in this city, conducting one of the leading boot and shoe stores on West Water street when Milwaukee was but a small village, and was an intimate friend of Solomon Juneau, the first settler of Milwaukee. The maternal grandparents, Ernst and Eva (Bauer) Hertzer, were both natives of Germany. Ernst Hert- zer was a prominent figure in Milwaukee's educational and commer- cial life for a number of years, having been a member of the school commission and the owner of a large planing mill, which was later destroyed by fire. Charles B. Showalter for more than thirty years was in the wholesale drug business, part of the time with H. Bos-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
worth & Son and later with the Charles Baumbach Company, and is at present representing one of the largest manufactories of its kind in the United States as city and state agent ; he also retains his interest in the welfare of the city. His three children are all living. Edwin A. Showalter received his preliminary educational training in the parochial and high schools of Milwaukee and then entered the University of Wisconsin. He devoted his time principally to the study of pharmacy, but specialized in bacteriology, botany and the languages. In June, 1900, he was graduated with the degree of graduate pharmacist. His career as a druggist began when he was seventeen years of age with the C. H. Krause Company, and since that time he has been variously connected with many of the leading drug firms of the city, among them the Widule Company and John A. Dadd & Son. In 1903 he became a stockholder in and vice-presi- dent and manager of the Union Pharmacy, of which he is now the president, treasurer and manager. His enterprise and thrift have been a potent influence in the building up of the concern. In poli- tics he is affiliated with none of the present day political parties, but prefers to cast his vote as his conscience and judgment dictate. When a student at the University of Wisconsin he became affiliated with the Phi Chi fraternity. He is an influential member of the Mil- waukee Pharmaceutical Association and the Wisconsin State Phar- maceutical Association. Mr. Showalter was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1908, to Miss Helen Kloka, daughter of Caroline Kloka, of this city.
Albert J. Young, proprietor and founder of the A. J. Young Medicine Company, was born in Manitowoc, Wis., on Sept. 1, 1857. He is a son of Ferdinand and Theresa (Lemke) Young, the former of whom was born in Germany on Nov. 23, 1830, and the latter in the same country on Oct. 6, 1830. The parents came to Manitowoc in 1855 and the father worked at his trade of baker until the begin- ning of hostilities in the Civil war. Then he enlisted in Company B of the Ninth Wisconsin infantry, and as a corporal served three years and as many months before he received an honorable dis- charge. In politics the father was a stanch Democrat, but never held public office. Both he and his wife were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The father died in 1898, but the mother is still living, now a respected resident of Phoenix, Ariz. Albert J. Young, the subject of this memoir, took advantage of the educa- tional opportunities offered in the common schools of Manitowoc and rounded out his scholastic training by a course in the Spen- cerian Business College. Upon the completion of his studies he en- tered the employ of the Sabine Medicine Company in the capacity of salesman and remained with them for a period of twenty-nine years, from 1873 to 1902. In the latter year he engaged in the busi- ness of manufacturing proprietary medicines under the firm name of the A. J. Young Medicine Company and has since been most suc- cessfully conducting that business. In politics he upholds the prin- ciples of the Republican party, but has never aspired to public of- fice. His religious affiliations are with the First German Methodist
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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Episcopal church. On June 26, 1881, Mr. Young was united in mar- riage to Miss Tillie Coerped, born in Milwaukee on Dec. 13, 1860, and a daughter of Michael and Amelia (Genrich) Coerped. Both Mrs. Young's parents were born in Germany, and the father came to Milwaukee in 1852 and the mother three years later. The father belonged to the volunteer fire department of the early days, and for many years afterward to the regular fire department of the city. He died in 1879, but his widow is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born four children. Erma, the eldest, is the wife of Charles Bauch, and the mother of one child, Mildred ; Raymond, whose wife was Mamie Oelhafen, is associated in business with his father ; Edna died at the age of two years, and Eugenia died in in- fancy. Mr. Young is one of the prominent Masons of Milwaukee county, being a member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 265, Free and Accepted Masons ; Calumet Chapter, No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, and Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 24, Knights Templar. For the past twenty-six years also he has been a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 145, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Aloysius G. Brennan, the popular secretary, treasurer and man- ager of the Brennan Company, was born in Erie., Pa., on June 20, 1877. A sketch of his parents, James and Olivia (Meyer) Brennan, may be found elsewhere in this volume in the memoir of John S. Brennan. Aloysius G. Brennan was educated in the grammar schools of Franklin, Venango county, Pa., and the high school at Canton, Ohio. In 1893 he came to Milwaukee and entered the em- ploy of Gimbel Brothers. He remained with the Milwaukee branch of the company for some years and then went to Philadelphia with Benjamin Gimbel when the firm started a branch in that place. After two years he removed to New York to enter the service of the James McCreery Silk Company and later returned to Milwau- kee to become associated with the Bonesho-Schaidnagle Company, silk merchants, of Milwaukee. In 1905 he entered a partnership under the firm name of the Brown-Brennan Company, incorporated, to deal in dress specialties, silks and laces. Since that time the firm name has been changed to The Brennan Company, the president being Mr. John S. Brennan and the secretary, treasurer and man- ager Aloysius G. Brennan. Mr. Brennan is an independent in his political relations, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage as his conscience and judgment dictate rather than be bound by any party ties. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus. On Nov. 4, 1904, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage to Miss Anna Frances McCabe, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Patrick McCabe. To this union have been born two children-James Patrick and Dorothy Frances.
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