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 19
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Thomas N. Schnetz, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Milwaukee during the past five years, but he came to the city with years of experience and a name as a successful physi- cian. so that his fine practice in Milwaukee dates almost from the day that he enrolled himself as a citizen of the place. Dr. Schnetz was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1860, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Nelson) Schnetz, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter was born in Scotland. Joseph Schnetz emigrated from the Fatherland to America in the '30s and located in Chicago, where he resided for about thirty years, and then removed to Racine, Wis. Later he took up his residence in Milwaukee county and he and his good wife lived in well-earned retirement in West Allis, the beautiful suburb of Milwaukee. There Joseph Schnetz died on March 1, 1908. Four children were born to them, of whom two survive-Luther N., who is a practicing physician at Racine, Wis., and Thomas N., who is the immediate subject of this review. The latter received his education in the public and high schools of Racine and at the Racine academy, and after completing the usual courses in such institutions, he began the study of medicine under
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the tutorship of Drs. Philo and Albert H. Hoy. In due time he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and after a full course in that institution graduated in February, 1884. He imme- diately began the practice of his profession, first locating at Cale- donia, Racine county, where he remained until 1903, and then re- moved to the city of Milwaukee. Dr. Schnetz was married in 1886 to Miss Minnie Smith, daughter of John and Maria Smith, early settlers of Racine county, where the father died in 1870 and the mother now resides. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Schnetz there have been born two children : LeRoy, aged 19; and Percy, aged 13. The Doctor is independent in his political views, not deeming it requisite to good citizenship to worship at the shrine of any par- ticular political party organization. However, he takes an intel- ligent interest in public affairs and votes according to his enlight- ened judgment upon all matters. Professionally he is a member of the Racine County and the Wisconsin State Medical associations, and he has membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias.
Adolph F. Hopp, Ph. G., the genial and capable manager of the Meyer Drug Store, one of the most modern and best equipped of its kind in the city, was born in Baraboo, Wis., on Nov. 6, 1863. He is a son of Anton and Apolonia (Beck) Hopp, both of whom were born in Germany, the former on Aug. 2, 1834, and the latter on May 25, 1837. The father came from the Fatherland in 1852 and settled at La Crosse, but later went to Baraboo, where he was con- nected with the brewery. In 1864 he enlisted as a private in Com- pany K of the Forty-sixth Wisconsin infantry, and succumbed to disease while in service about a year later. His widow passed away on July 23, 1908, leaving two sons, Peter and the subject of this memoir. Adolph F. Hopp received his preparatory educational advantages in the public schools of Sauk City, Wis., and in October, 1879, he began his pharmacal studies with Francis Pressentin at Reedsburg, Wis. In 1881 he came to Milwaukee and a year later successfully passed the examination submitted by the state board of pharmacy, being one of the first to take the examination as prescribed by law. He then matriculated at the National Insti- tute of Pharmacy in Chicago, and in 1886 was graduated at that institution with the degree of graduate in pharmacy. He returned to Milwaukee and worked for various druggists until 1890, when he entered the employ of Louis Meyer, who had been engaged in business since 1851. A sketch of Mr. Meyer appears elsewhere in this volume. After the death of Mr. Meyer, in 1900, Mr. Hopp was made manager of the store and has continued in that capacity, con- ducting the business along the same lines which made so much for Mr. Meyer's success. The present owner of the store is Edward Meyer, a grandson of Louis Meyer, and a son of the late Dr. Wil- liam Meyer. Mr. Hopp is a Republican in his political belief, but has never aspired to public office. Professionally and fraternally he is prominently identified with the Wisconsin State Pharma- ceutical Association ; Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, Free and Accepted
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Masons; the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Arcanum. On Dec. 22, 1886, Mr. Hopp was united in marriage to Miss Louise Behling, of Philadelphia, a daughter of John and Henrietta Behling, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hopp have no children.
Max Bartel, Ph. G., has been engaged in the practice of his profession since 1886, has built up a large drug business, and is recognized as one of the leaders of his profession in Milwaukee. He is an American by birth and of German descent, born in the Cream City, Sept. 1, 1864, the son of Ferdinand and Alwina (Poch- now) Bartel, who were born in Germany in 1828 and 1829, respect- ively, and married there in 1853. A year later they came to America and settled in Milwaukee. The elder Bartel was a mason by trade and a millwright and soon found a position at Sanderson's mill, where he remained for twenty-five years, becoming one of their oldest and most trusted employes. Mr. Bartel was thrifty and far-sighted in business matters and had saved up a sufficient competence during his years of service with the milling company to engage in business for himself, and he carried on a general mer- chandise store until he retired in 1885, and since then has led a quiet life. He became associated with the Republican party and is interested in all the reform movements for the betterment of the city government and has most liberal religious views. His wife died in 1907 after rearing seven children, three of whom survive her. Max, the subject of this sketch, received his elementary edu- cation in the public and high schools of Milwaukee and after finish- ing the city schools served an apprenticeship as druggist with Louis Lotz. After spending four years in learning the practical side of the drug business he went to Philadelphia to attend the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy and graduated with the degree of Ph. G., in 1885. The next year he engaged in the drug business at the corner of Twelfth and Vliet streets, where he has carried on one of the largest and most prosperous drug stores of the west side. Mr. Bartel was united in marriage on May 5, 1896, with Ida, the daughter of Louis and Rosa (Mampel) Meyer, old settlers of Mil- waukee. Mr. Meyer lived in Milwaukee until his death in 1900; after his death his widow returned to Germany, where she still lives. After eleven years of happy wedded life, Mrs. Bartel passed away in 1907. Politically Mr. Bartel is associated with the Republican party and is one of its loyal supporters ; he is a member of the Wis- consin State Pharmaceutical Association, the Milwaukee Pharma- ceutical Association and the National Association of Retail Druggists.
Otto C. Laabs, one of the leading druggists and popular busi- ness men of Milwaukee, is a native of the Cream City, where he was born on Aug. 18, 1871. Albert Laabs, his father, was born in the Fatherland, of German parents, in 1841, and emigrated to the United States and settled in Milwaukee in 1867. His mother, Bertha (Woller) Laabs, was also a German by birth, born in 1847. She came to America and met and married Albert Laabs in 1867.
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To this union twelve children were born, of whom eight sons and one daughter are still living. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed this vocation in Milwaukee, where his children were born and reared. In 1904 he passed "over the great divide," leav- ing a widow to mourn his loss. Otto was sent to the parochial schools of Milwaukee, and when only fourteen years of age he ob- tained a position with Widule & Conrath, of Milwaukee. Hle studied pharmacy while in the store and became one of their trusted and confidential men. In 1892 he attended the university at Madi- son, Wis., to complete his course in pharmacy, and after a year of study returned to Milwaukee, formed a partnership in the drug business with Mr. Kortebein, and the firm became known as Korte- bein & Laabs. A year later Mr. Laabs disposed of his business and became associated with Fred Esau for a little over a year, but was induced to give this position up to become city salesman for the Drake Bros. drug house. Mr. Laabs became well known through- out the city, and was one of the most popular and successful sales- men in the business, but he was not satisfied to work for another firm, and in 1898 established himself in the drug business at 1921 Vliet street. A year later he moved the store to 1929 Vliet street. where he has carried on one of the most up-to-date and well- equipped drug houses for the past nine years. Mr. Laabs is also a member of the drug firm of Stafeil & Laabs at 3702 Vliet street. He has been in the drug business for twenty-three years and is one of the oldest and best known men in this line in the Cream City. On Oct. 2, 1897, he was married to Ada Stafeil, the daugh- ter of John Stafeil and Minnie (Wegner) Stafeil, of Watertown, WVis. Mr. Laabs is a stanch adherent of the Republican party and he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church. He also belongs to the Milwaukee and State Pharmaceutical associa- tions and the National Association of Retail Druggists.
William J. Stafeil, a registered druggist, who is engaged in the practice of his profession at 3702 Vliet street, Milwaukee, is a na- tive of Wisconsin of German descent. His father. John Stafeil, was born in Nadelfitz, Pommern, Germany, in 1843, and his mother, Minnie (Wegner) Stafeil, was born in Schiefelbein, Pommern, Ger- many, in 1853. His paternal grandfather was Carl Stafeil, who emigrated to the United States with his wife and family about 1852 and located in Wisconsin, in the town of Ixonia, where he took up land, cleared it, built a home and reared his family. William Sta- feil's maternal grandfather, August Wegner, was also a German by birth, born in Schiefelbein, Pommern, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, at that time practically an unbroken wilder- ness. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilhemenie Bartel, died on the trip from the Fatherland, but undaunted by this great loss, he came as far west as Wisconsin and followed his trade of miller at the old Monterey saw mills, about two and one-half miles west of the town of Monterey. The milling business was a very profit- able one during the days of early settlement and here the kind old man lived to the end of his days, dying on Nov. 3, 1892, at the age
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of seventy-three years. John Stafeil was reared on the old home- stead his father had taken when he came to America, and there he had two sons and four daughters born to him, who have gladdened his declining years. The light of prosperity has shone on this honest husbandman of the soil, and he has now retired from active life to enjoy the fruits of his labors during the sunset years of his life. He now resides at Watertown, Wis., and takes a sympathetic in- terest in the politics of the Republican party, and he and his wife are members of the church of their fathers, the German Lutheran. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and edu- cated in the graded and high schools of Pipersville, and then at- tended the Rheude Business College of Milwaukee, where he took a very thorough course in the business branches. Subsequently he took private instruction under Professor Russel in pharmacy, and on Feb. II, 1904, passed the examination given by the State Board of Pharmacy, and was admitted to practice in the state of Wis- consin. He immediately accepted a position with Otto C. Laabs, as pharmacist, and later accepted a still better offer to become labora- tory and prescription man for the Drake Bros. Drug Co., and was with them for four years. In July, 1908, he determined to go into the drug business for himself and formed a partnership with Mr. Laabs, establishing the store at 3702 Vliet street. The business has proved a success and the store has one of the largest trades in this section of the city. Mr. Stafeil has been a member of the Milwau- kee Pharmaceutical Association since 1903, and is a member of the Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical Association. His political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mathew Joseph Rodermund, M. D., ranks among the leaders of the medical profession as a specialist in the treatment of dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, as well as nervous, female and chronic diseases generally. His fame is not confined to the limits of the state in which he lives nor to the knowledge of the confra- ternity of physicians, but throughout the United States, and among the reading laity he is recognized as a leader of thought and an aggressive writer, whose theories are somewhat in advance of and in conflict with those generally accepted and practiced. Dr. Roder- mund was born at West Bend, Washington county, Wisconsin, on July 5. 1854, son of Mathew and Susan (Dehn) Rodermund, both of whom are natives of Germany. The paternal grandparents set- tled in Washington county, Wisconsin, in 1844, and there lived out their allotted years; and the maternal grandparents were also early settlers of the same county. Mathew Rodermund, the father of the subject of this review, devoted his time during his active career to mercantile pursuits, but he is now living in retirement. Dr. Rodermund received his preliminary education in the parochial schools of his native county, and after due preparation entered the Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, at Chicago, in which institution he graduated with the class of 1886. He then spent two years in Europe, taking post-graduate courses at Vienna,
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Berlin, Paris and London, and upon his return to America opened an office at Appleton, Wis., for the practice of his profession, mak- ing a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He re- mained at Appleton ten years, during which time he gained an ex- tended reputation, and after the expiration of that period he re- moved to the city of Milwaukee, where he has since continued the practice of his profession along the lines mentioned. In addition to caring for a large practice he has written voluminously upon . subjects pertaining to the medical profession, and among his more prominent contributions to such literature are the following pub- lications : "Fads in the Practice of Medicine," "As It Is," "Exposure of the Appendicitis Frauds," and "Medical Wonders and Med- ical Blunders." He vigorously opposes the use of the knife in the so-called appendicitis cases, and is a recognized authority among the opponents of that practice. He also opposes vaccination as a preventive of small-pox, and in January, 1901, during an epidemic of that much dreaded disease in Appleton, he took a decided stand in opposition to the common practice of inoculating children and others with the poisonous virus in order to prevent the spread of the malady. He contended that small-pox is not contagious, and sought to practically demonstrate the correctness of that view, but the general alarm aroused by the prevalence of the disease in Apple- ton at that time caused him to be severely criticised by the unin- formed. He entered the house of a Mrs. Stark, who had a well- developed case of small-pox, and after rubbing the matter from the pustules on his hands and clothing, he left the city and traveled over three states, exposing millions of people. Thousands of health officers and policemen tried in every possible way to trace a case of small-pox that had resulted from such contact, but in the end they had to admit that it could not be done. Whatever may be the general opinion concerning his advanced ideas, it must be ad- mitted by all that Dr. Rodermund is sincere in his convictions and courageous in expressing them, possessing those noble qualities to which mankind is so much indebted for all 'the progress that has been made in the past. If his ideas are correct they well ultimate- ly prevail, for no amount of envious criticism can stay the onward march of truth. Dr. Rodermund was married on July 5, 1881, to Miss Maggie Maroney, of Sun Prairie, Wis., and to this union there have been born five children : Arthur M. J., who graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago with the class of 1907 and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Athens. Wis. : Margueret, Edith, Lorena and Dorothy. Dr. Rodermund is independent in his political views.
Ottmar T. Beeck, Ph. G., the junior member of the firm of Peters & Beeck, one of Milwaukee's leading drug houses, is a na- tive of the Cream City, born there on Nov. 21, 1880. His parents were Charles R. and Caroline ( Havel) Beeck, born in Berlin, Ger- many, Nov. 1I, 1850, and at Manitowoc, Wis., Oct. 13, 1853, re- spectively. Charles Beeck emigrated to this country in 1869 and soon after landing located in Manitowoc, Wis., where he met and
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married Caroline Havel; they had six children, of whom three are still living. Mr. Beeck moved to Milwaukee some years ago, where he is a member of the Elastic Tire Fitting Company, of Milwaukee, and is also a traveling salesman and a member of the United Com- mercial Travelers. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Anton Havel, a native of Bohemia; his wife was Olga Winkler, who was born in Germany. They came to this country and settled at Manitowoc in 1850, and there they continued to reside all their lives. Mr. Havel passed to that shore from which 10 traveler returns in 1876, leaving his wife to continue the journey of life alone until 1887. Ottmar received his elementary education in the public schools, and was associated with Max Bartel four years. After finishing his course in college he again worked for Mr. Bartel four years, until April, 1905, when he engaged in the drug business at 2109 North avenue, in partnership with E. A. Peters, under the firm name of Peters & Beeck, where they conduct one of the most prosperous drug stores in the city. Mr. Beeck is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party. On Jan. 30, 1907, Mr. Beeck married Miss Alma Karsten, the daughter of Louis and Lisetta (Mohs) Karsten, who are residents of Mil- waukee. One child has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beeck. Bernice, born on Nov. 22, 1907. With his wife, Mr. Beeck is a member of the Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Mil- waukee Pharmaceutical Association, the State Pharmaceutical As- sociation, the National Association of Retail Druggists, and is also affiliated with the Masonic Order, being a member of Independence Lodge, No. 80, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Wisconsin Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons.
Lorenz Mauer, a baker who has won a high place in the ranks of his profession in Milwaukee, was born in Germany on June II, 1859. He is a son of Karl Kaspan and Catherine (Horath) Mauer, both natives of Germany, who spent all their lives in that country, where the father was a prosperous farmer. Mr. Mauer took ad- vantage of the limited educational opportunities afforded by the common schools of his native country and in 1882 migrated to the United States. He came direct to Milwaukee and secured em- ployment under Philip Schmidt in the bakery business on Teutonia avenue. He spent eight years in acquiring a thorough knowledge of the vocation and becoming conversant with American instit11- tions and business methods, and then, in 1890, engaged in the busi- ness under his own name at 486 Maple street. Since that time he has been conducting a wholly modern, sanitary establishment at the same place, and its success can be attributed in large measure to his native traits of thrift, enterprise and integrity. In politics Mr. Mauer is a stanch adherent of the principles of Democracy, but the pressure of business affairs has restrained him from be- coming a candidate for public office of any character. His religious relations are with the Catholic church and his only social recrea- tion he finds in the gathering of the social society of his church. In June, 1890, Mr. Mauer was united in marriage to Miss Bertha
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Brune, a daughter of August and Elizabeth Brune, of Milwaukee. To this union were born four children, Rose, Anthony, Emily and John, aged sixteen, fourteen, thirteen and ten, respectively. Mr. Mauer is a citizen of public spirit, excellent habits and kindly, genial nature, and has a host of friends, who predict for him a most successful career.
William Beyer, a much respected citizen of Milwaukee, was born in Brandenburg, Germany, on Oct. 31, 1836. His father lived all his life in Brandenburg, and his mother, Elizabeth Beyer, was born in Prussia. Mr. Beyer obtained the limited education afforded by the common schools of his native city. When he had finished his schooling he enlisted as a private in the Second Prussian cav- alry in 1856 and served for a period of three years and as many months. When that term of enlistment had expired he re-entered the army and was in active service in the war with Austria in 1866. In the Franco-Prussian war, in 1870 and 1871, he partici- pated with his regiment in much of the heaviest fighting, and in December of the latter year received an honorable discharge. Early in 1872 he migrated to the United States, coming direct to Milwaukee, and has ever since made this city his home. For a period of sixteen years he was employed in one of the large roll- ing mills on the south side, and since he has been engaged as a laborer in various contracts. By careful saving he has managed to accumulate considerable property, and when he decides to re- tire and enjoy a well-earned respite after years of a strenuous life, he can easily do so. In his political relations he is a Republican, but has never sought political favor of any kind. With his wife he is a communicant of the Lutheran church. In 1864 Mr. Beyer was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Kuhnke, a daughter of Michael and Annie Kuhnke, of Brandenburg. Two children were born to bless this union, Frank, deceased, at age of nine weeks, and Ernest- tine, who is now thirty-eight years old. The daughter is the wife of Frederick Zahn, to whom she was united in marriage on Aug. 23, 1890. Mr. Zahn is a tailor in the employ of David Adler & Son Company, and he and his wife and four children, Emma, Dorothy, Irene and Helmut, aged seventeen, fourteen, twelve and nine, re- spectively, make their home with Mr. Bever at 260 Lenox street, in a house which Mr. Beyer owns.
Knud C. Clauson, a well-known painter of the Cream City, was born in Arendal, Norway, on Dec. 18, 1845, a son of Knud and Annabel Clauson. He comes of a mixture of the best Dutch and Norwegian stock, his grandfather, Clarence Clauson, having re- moved from Holland to Norway when a young man and there mar- ried a native Norwegian woman. His father, Knud Clauson, was a captain in the Norwegian navy and was twice captured by the Swedish troops. He died while in the service of his country. An uncle was a captain on the high seas for many years, and com- manded the vessel that went on the rocks in New York Harbor a few years ago, when both vessel and cargo were destroyed by the elements and the passengers and crew saved. Knud C. Clauson, the
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subject of this memoir, came to Milwaukee direct from Norway in 1883. For two years he worked as a sailor on a large lake boat, and then became engaged in the business which now occupies him. Although well advanced in years he is still in rugged health and attends his daily work as regularly as many another younger man. From his ancestry he inherited a capacity for work and a frugality that has made him one of the most valued citizens of the com- munity. Although he has never aspired to office he has always been a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and in religious matters is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. In February, 1873, Mr. Clauson was united in marriage to Miss Athalia Sederstrom, a native of Norway and a daughter of Peter and Christina Sederstrom. To this union have been born four children, Henry A., Peter C., Clara and Edna A., aged thirty- three, thirty-one, twenty-one, twenty-seven and fifteen years, re- spectively. Clara is the wife of Ray Hanson, a prosperous grocer on Eleventh street, and has one son, three years of age. Mr. Clauson is one of the influential figures in the Scandinavian Benefit Society.
Ferdinand Paringer, a prominent citizen and prosperous real estate and insurance agent, with an office at 616 State street, is a native of the Cream City, of German descent, born on Sept. 16, 1860, being the son of George Frederick and Anna Paringer, who immigrated to the United States in 1843, while this great state was still a territory, and located in the frontier town of Milwaukee. The elder Paringer was a contractor and real estate dealer who was one of the pioneers in that business in the city. The first home was on Prairie street and today it is one of the oldest landmarks. Ferdi- nand, the subject of this review, received his education in the schools of his native city, and subsequently entered the law office of J. V. V. Platto as a student, in 1877, but on account of ill health never completed his course. In 1884 the city council passed an ordinance providing for a secretary for the mayor and Mr. Paringer was the first incumbent of that office, under Mayor Wallber. He served until 1890, was reappointed in 1893 and served until 1898, under Mayors Koch and Rauschenberger. Upon leaving the serv- ice of the city Mr. Paringer embarked in the real estate and in- surance business, in which he has successfully continued to the present date. He is a Republican of pronounced convictions and is a Protestant in his religious views. During the past ten years Mr. Paringer has taken a conspicuous part in the building up of the city and is regarded as one of its most worthy citizens.
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