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 20
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Rev. Clement F. LeFevre, D. D., born Nov. 12, 1797, at Birk- hampstead. Hertfordshire, England, was the son of Rev. George LeFevre, B. A., who for many years before his death, in 1848. was chaplain to the British embassy in Paris. During the War of 1812 Mr. LeFevre was a lieutenant in the British navy. When peace was declared he was retired on half pay, and after several years of travel he sailed from England in October, 1817, with a number of others, to visit South America and join the patriot army under Gen-
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eral Bolivar in its efforts to throw off the Spanish yoke. The ship stopped en route at the Island of Trinidad to get information be- fore proceeding up the Orinoco river. Here he was detained by the vellow fever, by which he and most of the others were attacked, the disease being then prevalent in the island. Mr. LeFevre was one of the few who survived. The vessel returned to England and the expedition was thus broken up. After waiting some months for a favorable opportunity to proceed, Mr. LeFevre engaged passage to New York on a British vessel which happened to come into the harbor. Thus the entire course of his life was changed. On arriv- ing in New York he found a position as teacher of the French lan- guage at Erasmus Hall, an academy for boys at Hempstead, Long Island. While there he commenced his studies for the ministry, which he completed at Kingston, Canada, and returning to Eng- land in 1821, he was ordained by the Bishop of London and sta- tioned at Sherbrooke, Canada, by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He was married on March 22, in the following year, to Mary Clowes, of Hempstead, Long Island, sister of the Rev. Timothy Clowes, in whose academy he found his first employment on coming to America. In 1829, after a gradual change in his religious views, he resigned his pastorate at Sher- brooke, openly embraced the Universalist faith, and became an able champion in extending its growth and influence in New York state and in defending it against the attacks of the orthodox ministry, which in those early days of Universalism were very bitter. He be- came successively minister of the Universalist churches in Troy, N. Y .; New York City (the Bleeker Street church ), and Hudson, N. Y. 'He was also associate editor of the Gospel Anchor at Troy and of the Universalist Union in New York, both of which were influential Universalist journals. In 1844 he removed to Milwau- kee, where he accepted the pastorate of the Universalist Society. which then occupied a small building on Broadway (then called Main street), where the Newhall House was afterward built, and where now stands'the home office of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. He retired in 1850, and did not again take up the active ministry, but for many years continued to serve the cause by occasional preaching in Milwaukee'and elsewhere and by contributions to the denominational magazines. On coming to Milwaukee he bought a tract of land a short distance south of the city, where he established his'home, and to which he gave the name of."Hazelwood." Here he continued to reside for the rest of his life, greatly beloved by a large circle of friends, who in terms of endearment and affection spoke of him as Father LeFevre. He died on Dec. 12, 1882. His wife, who had for many years been in poor health, died on Oct. 5, 1869. A few years after coming to Mil- waukee Mr. LeFevre established his eldest son. William, on a farm at Eagle, in the adjoining county of Waukesha. His second son, George, became clerk in the pioneer hardware store of William H. Byron & Co., on East Water street, and later went into the same business for himself in partnership with the late George Greene,
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under the firm name of LeFevre & Greene, occupying the store at No. 289 'East Water street, at the southwest corner of Detroit street. His daughter, Ellen, was married on July 28, 1851, to John Crapser Coleman, of Montreal, Canada, returning to Milwaukee, however. in 1855, when Mr. Coleman decided to locate permanently in'this city.
John Crapser Coleman, deceased, was descended from one of the early Colonial families. Coming first to Gloucester, Mass., in 1635, his ancestors subsequently settled in Southold, Long Island, and Orange county, N. Y., in which latter place, near the village of Florida. Mr. Coleman's father was proprietor of a carding mill, which he subsequently converted into'a flour mill and operated un- til his death, in 1850. His mother was Ann Conklin, daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret (Bradner) Conklin, of Goshen, Orange county, N. Y. Mr. Coleman was born on July 28, 1819, at Newton, N. J., where his parents were temporarily residing. On account of his poor health his parents sent him, while still a boy, into the northern'woods of St. Lawrence county, N. Y., to live with a fam- ily friend engaged in lumbering along the St. Lawrence river. He made himself useful, and the outdoor life and activities of the lum- ber camps fully restored his health. Here he'remained for a num- ber of years until he established himself in the lumber business in Montreal, Canada, as a member of the firm of Sims & Coleman. On July 28, 1851, he was married to Ellen R., daughter of Rev. Clem- ent F. LeFevre, of Milwaukee, Wis. He continued to reside in Montreal until 1853, when he joined his brother in the brokerage business in New York city. In 1855 he decided to follow the "star of empire" to the great West, and coming to Milwaukee, estab- lished his home at "Hazelwood," with Mrs. Coleman's parents. He bought additional land from his neighbor, Dr. Enoch Chase, and carried on'a general farm for many years, until the encroachments of the rapidly increasing population of the city made farming and fruit raising impossible. Shortly after coming to Milwaukee he was instrumental in organizing the Kenosha County Bank, and was'for a number of years its president. He was also at various times, more or less directly interested in other business enterprises. In 1870 'he remodeled and enlarged the original residence, built in 1844 by Mr. LeFevre, and continued to live there until his death. In 1890 and 1900 the city purchased thirty-six acres of the wooded portion of "Hazelwood" and converted it into 'one of the city's prettiest parks, named Kosciusko Park. The rest of the farm, ex- cept the frontage on the Kinnickinnic river, has been platted into building lots under the names of Coleman's subdivision and Hazel- wood subdivision, and is now mostly covered with dwelling houses and stores. The former homestead on First avenue, with a suffi- cient plat of ground, is occupied as the settlement house of the Wis- consin University Settlement Association. which is carrying on benevolent and educational work in that section of the city. In politics Mr. Coleman was a'stanch Republican, but never aspired to public office. preferring a quieter and less conspicuous life. He was
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a man of sterling qualities and sympathetic temperament and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died on May 28, 1896. Mrs. Coleman, now in her eighty-sixth year, is still in good health and continues to reside in Milwaukee with her two daughters, Mary E. Coleman and Nellie L. Coleman. Mr. Coleman is also survived by his three sons. The eldest, Clement LeFevre Coleman, born on Sept. 30, 1852, received a high school education, and after a few years of employment in Milwaukee, lived 'successively for consid- erable periods in Berlin, Wis .; Chicago, Ill .; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., and Fairhope, Ala., in which latter place he has made his home for the past fourteen years. He married on Sept. 30, 1902, Sarah L., daughter of Rev. George W. Wood, of Petoskey, Mich. Their children are Henry George Coleman, born on Oct. 5, 1903, and Genevieve Coleman, born on Feb. '16, 1906. The second son. John George Coleman, born July 13, 1857, was also graduated from the Milwaukee high school, and in June, 1880, he identified himself with the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company 'and shortly thereafter be- came the secretary and treasurer. He married on Sept. 23, 1885, Louise Cecile, daughter of James C. Ricketson, of Milwaukee. Their children are James Ricketson Coleman, born'on Sept. 3, 1887 ; William LeFevre Coleman, born on May 15, 1889; Cecile Howland Coleman, born on May 3, 1890; Clement John Coleman, born on June 13, 1892 ; Ellen' Belfield Coleman, born on Feb. 24, 1894; Fred- erick George Coleman, born on April 9, 1897. The third son, Theo- dore Lincoln Coleman, born on Nov. 5, 1861, also received a high school education, and in February, 1880, found employment as shipping clerk for the Wisconsin Malleable' Iron Company. After several years of gradual advancement he was chosen vice-president of the company, which position he retained until 1892, when he re- signed to take up the study of law. He prepared himself in the office of the late George E. Sutherland and at the University of Wisconsin Law School, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar. Hc has since devoted himself, mainly, to the business of managing properties and'estates for a limited number of clients. On June 10, 1896, he was married to Grace Pier Smith, of Milwaukee, daughter of Lewis Smith, who at the time of his death, in 1871, was a resi- dent of Fox Lake,'WVis. Their children are Ruth Stevens Coleman, born on June 27, 1897 ; Philip LeFevre Coleman, born on Aug. 29, 1899 ; Margaret Pier Coleman, born on Sept. 27, 1907.
Louis Meyer, deceased, one of the pioneer pharmacists of Mil- waukee, was born on Sept. 20, 1823, in Mindin, Prussia, the son of William and Margaret Meyer, the father being a captain in the Ger- man army and was decorated by the king of Prussia with several medals for gallant services. On Nov. 16, 1812, he received the sil- ver service medal ;'in 1813 the Iron Cross ; in 1813 again the Russian St. George order : and in 1814 the Military Memorial medal. His education he received in the best schools, and after finishing his studies he was apprenticed in a pharmacy in Wesel, in which he served four years. A few years later he set his mind to try his future in America, landed from the sailboat Meta in New York in
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the spring of 1850, and came direct to Milwaukee by boat. On his arrival here he accepted a position in the drug store of Dr. Oswald, whose place of business was at the corner of Martin and East Water streets. A year later he purchased some lots from James Knee- land at the intersection of Galena and Twelfth streets, where he put up a small frame building and opened a drug store on his own ac- count in 1851. This building he replaced in 1888 with a large, com- modious brick structure, where the drug store is still conducted under the old firm name. Mr. Meyer was married in 1852 to Rosa Mampel, who was the daughter of one of the oldest citizens in Mil- waukee. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer had five children, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Meyer conducted the drug business continuously until shortly before his death, which occurred on Aug. 19, 1900. He is survived by his wife and only one daughter, Mrs. Augusta Opper- man, who lives in Charlottenburg, Germany, with her mother, she calling for her in September, 1907. Mrs. Meyer is now eighty-one years of age.
Albert Jule Mase, assistant foreman of the Chicago & North- western Railway roundhouse, and a musician'of more than ordinary skill, was born in Winnebago county, Wis., on Nov. 1, 1877. He is a son of Frederick William and Caroline Esther (Minn) Mase, the former of whom was born on Sept. 16, 1841, and the latter on Jan. 4. 1846. His paternal grandparents, Frederick John and Mary (Carroll) Mase, came to Wisconsin from Prussia in 1855. The grandfather was a wagonmaker by vocation, and his son, the fa- ther, was a miller and the inventor of the apple separator., The father served in Company D, of the Twenty-second Wisconsin in- fantry for a period of twenty-two months during the Civil war, and was engaged in sharp fights with his company at'the siege of At- lanta and earlier engagements. Albert J. Mase, the subject of this review. attended the public schools of Oshkosh, Wis., until he was seventeen'years of age. His first work was as a traveling repre- sentative for the Neehan Advertising Company, with whom he re- mained three years, and then with the Wells Comedy Company as a musician. For several years now he has been in 'the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, and the confidence they feel in him is evidenced by the promotion to the important po- sition which he is now occupying. From 1899 to 1902 he was a member of Company F. Second infantry, Wisconsin National Guard, and received an, honorable discharge when his term of en- listment expired. In political belief Mr. Mase is a stanch Repub- lican, but has never'aspired to public office. His religious relations are with the Congregational church, of which he is a zealous and devout member. On Nov. 26, 1906, Mr. Mase was united in mar- riage to Miss Lorine Gibson, a daughter of John and Katherine ( Kornell ) Gibson, of Canada. The issue of this marriage has been one son. Roger. Mr. Mase himself is one of six survivors of the nine children born to his parents. His musical ability wins him much praise wherever he is known, and in the natural expectancy of life a brilliant career lies before him.
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John Xiezopolski, the able master mechanic of the Milwaukee Western Fuel Company of Milwaukee, was born'at Dantzig, Ger- many, Sept. 8, 1864, being the son of John and Katherine Xiezopol- ski, both of whom were born and reared in their native land, Ger- many. John, the subject of this review, was educated in the pub- lic schools of Germany, where he took a technical course. After finishing his course in school, at the age of sixteen years, he went into a mill to learn the millwright's trade, and worked for three years. Hle then realized that a higher course of study would be of advantage to him and attended a technical school for two years, where he finished a course with great credit to himself. From that time until he was twenty-eight years of age Mr. Xiezopolski worked as a'millwright and in 1893 immigrated to the United States and lo- cated in Milwaukee, where he has since continued to reside. For fifteen years he has been associated with the Milwaukee Western Fuel Company and for a greater part of that time has held his pres- ent responsible position of master mechanic, and is regarded as one of the most capable mechanical engineers in the city. Mr. Niezopol- ski is independent in his politics, wearing no party's collar, and ex- ercises his political prerogatives in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. He is a devout member of the Catholic church. of which his ancestors were adherents. On Feb. 16, 1896, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Steinkellner, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter, both residents of Milwaukee. Eight children have been born to this union: Peter, who runs a bakery ; Rosa, Ben, who is engaged with his brother: Eleanor, the wife of George Slintz- stein : Bert, Lucy, Alfred and Gilbert, both in school.
George Weinhagen, the vice-president and treasurer of the A. George Shulz Company, manufacturers of paper and folding boxes. is one of the substantial citizens of Milwaukee. He was born at the quaint old German town of Hildesheim, in the valley of the AAller. province of Hanover, Germany, Jan. 6, 1859, being the son of George and Emile Weinhagen. Both his parents were natives of Germany and his father and grandfather were active during the German Revolution in 1848. George, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived the benefits of an education in the public schools of Hanover, Germany. He left school and came to America in March, 1874, and up to the age of eighteen worked as shipping clerk for the Milwau- kee Redistilling and Rerefining Company and remained in the em- ploy of that firm until entering into the box-making business in 1878 as one of the partners of the present firm. The firm's renown for excellent quality and fair treatment is in a large part due to Mr. Weinhagen's thorough understanding of box making, his capacity for work and inherent integrity. On Jan. 7, 1881, Mr. Weinhagen was united in marriage with Julia, the daughter of Carl and Minna Eggers, and has three children: Elizabeth. George. Jr., and Julia. Mr. Weinhagen is an independent in politics, voting for the man he believes best fitted for the position.
Edward G. Lutz, the treasurer of the F. F. Adams Tobacco Company, of Milwaukee, is numbered among the progressive busi- ness men of the Cream City. He is a native of the Blue Grass
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state, born at Louisville, Ky., Aug. 18, 1871, of fine old German stock. His father was Edward Lutz, an American by birth, but de- scended from German ancestors, born at Lancaster, Pa., and his mother, Mary D. Lutz, was born and reared in Germany. Edward, the subject of this sketch, received the benefit of the training af- forded by the public schools of his native town until he was thir- teen years of age, when he went to work in the tobacco house of John Finzer & Brothers. „ He began at the bottom and by strict at- tention to duty, industry and perseverance worked his way up. He was promoted by the company a number of times from one im- portant position to another until they made him assistant cashier of the firm. After occupying this important position for several years he accepted a more promising offer made him by the F. F. Adams Tobacco Company, of Milwaukee, to become assistant sec- retary and treasurer of that concern in 1902. Mr. Lutz's services proved so efficient that in 1906 he was promoted and assumed the duties of treasurer, which position he still holds. He knows the to- bacco business most thoroughly and is regarded by his associates in business as one of the prominent men in the tobacco industry. On April 25, 1906, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lutz and Eliza- beth Ross Davey, the daughter of Congressman R. C. Davey, of New Orleans. One child has been born to them, a boy not yet two years of age. Mr. Lutz is a communicant of the Baptist church and is a well known member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is the popular president of the Calumet Club. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz belong to the younger social set of the Cream City and dispense a gracious hospitality at their home.
Charles E. Lammert, one of the old residents and honored citi- zens of Milwaukee, was born at Tilleda, Germany, Aug. 24, 1835, the son of Adam and Catherine Lammert, who were natives of Ger- many. Charles, our subject, was given the benefit of an education in the public schools of his native land. After leaving school he learned the cabinet maker's trade and worked at that occupation for several years. He came to America with the great tide of German immigration that poured into the country about the middle of the nineteenth century and reached Milwaukee in 1854. He immedi- ately found work at his trade with A. B. Seaman. as skilled work- men were scarce during the pioneer days of the city, and continued to work for him eight years until he moved to Bloomington, Ill., to accept a position with the Chicago & Alton railroad in the car shops of that road, where he built cars. Subsequently he went to St. Paul, Minn .. where he worked at his trade. When the Civil war broke out he went to the front as a government employe and served for three years. After the close of the war he returned to Milwaukee and found employment with the Board of Public Works. His services proved so efficient that he was also employed by the School Board of the city and served in this double capacity for thirty-five years. Some years ago he retired from active life and is now enjoying a well-earned respite from hard work. Mr. Lammert is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the policies and problems
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of his party, and cast a vote for Fremont in 1856, and is always in- terested in the public welfare. He has been a member of the Board of Public Works and a member of the School Board. In religion he is a German Lutheran, the church of his fathers. On Oct. 6, 1859, he married Miss Annie Bruce, of Milwaukee. Three children have been born to them: Ferdinand, who is a machinist in his own large shop in Chicago, South Jefferson street; Amanda, the wife of I'm. Graetz, proprietor of a barber shop in the Pabst building, and Ilma, the youngest daughter.
Adam G. Weber, an expert boxmaker, who lives at 1457 Twen- ty-third street, was born in Nuremberg, Germany, on Aug. 3. 1872. a son of Conrad and Babette Weber, both of whom were born in Germany. Mr. Weber attended the public and high schools of his native city and when he had completed the prescribed courses there he studied for a time at a trades college. In 1889 he came to Mil- waukee after he had served a three years' apprenticeship in the ma- sonry trade, and for the first three months after his arrival he worked as a journeyman in his vocation. Then for a year he was employed in a lumber yard, carrying and piling lumber. During the three months immediately following he acted as a watchman and then learned the trade in which he has now been engaged since 1891. Into everything which he has undertaken he has brought to bear those traits of enterprise and sturdy integrity which have made so much for his success in every effort. In politics he is a Demo- crat, but has never found the leisure to devote to becoming a can- didate for office. Fraternally he is identified with but one order, the Knights of the Maccabees. On March 9, 1892, Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Frances Lehrbaum, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Andrew and Freasa Lehrbaum. Four children have been born to bless this union : Frances, aged six ; Louisa, aged four : Eugena, aged two, and Milan A. G. (baby). Mr. Weber is much respected and esteemed by his neighbors, who recognize in him one of the most upright and public spirited citizens of the com- munity.
Charles C. Moedinger, a prominent meat dealer and sausage manufacturer, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on July 24, 1860. His parents lived their entire lives in the Fatherland. Mr. Moed- inger received a somewhat limited education in the public schools of his native land. being compelled by force of circumstances to leave school early in life and go to work. He became apprenticed to a butcher and after he had mastered the vocation he worked in it for three years as a journeyman in his native land. For the fol- lowing two years he helped his father in the management of the home property, and by the end of that time had secured a sufficient competence to enable him to migrate to the United States, a desire which had become with him the highest of his life. He arrived in Milwaukee direct from Germany in 1882 and found employment for the first two years in one of the packing houses. His present busi- ness he started in 1884. Reared in hardship and privation, he be- came imbued with those traits of enterprise, frugality and integrity
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which make so much for success, and he brought these qualities to bear in the establishment of his business. He makes a specialty of sausage making, and his brand has become quite famous throughout the city. In politics Mr. Moedinger is a Republican and in his church relations he is affiliated with the German Lutheran church. Fraternally he is identified with the Sons of Hermann. On Sept. IO, 1882, Mr. Moedinger was united in marriage to Miss Liza Her- ring, a daughter of George Herring, of Milwaukee. Two children have been born to bless this union, Harry, aged twenty, now asso- ciated in business with his father, and Claire, aged nineteen.
Ernst John Jahn, a prominent plasterer contractor of the Cream City, was born in Germany on June 30, 1862, a son of Albert Jahn, of that country. Two of his brothers saw active service in the Kaiser's army. Mr. Jahn received a limited education in the public schools of his native land, being obliged when but fourteen years of age to leave school to earn a livelihood. His first labor was as a teamster, an occupation which not only furnished him with a live- lihood for six years, but also allowed him to secure a sufficient com- petence to allow him to fulfill what had been with him a lifelong ambition-to migrate to the United States. His coming was in 1884 and two weeks after landing he arrived in Milwaukee. He did not locate here at once, however, but went to Concord, Jefferson county, and learned the mason's trade, which furnished him em- ployment for three years. Upon his return to Milwaukee at the end of that period he entered the employ of Julius Sponholz, under whom he mastered his present trade. His connection with Mr. Sponholz continued for four years and then for the three years im- mediately following he worked as a journeyman for different con- tractors. In 1894 he engaged in the plastering contracting business for himself, and has met with exceptional success in every contract he has undertaken, contributed to in large measure by his skillful and thorough workmanship, his careful attention to details and his scrupulous honesty in dealing with his employes and his patrons. Among the contracts which stand as monuments to his ability are the West Division high school, the Public Service building, the All- ditorium, the Normal school, the Tenth Ward school, the new north wing of the main hall of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the court-house at Baraboo. In his political relations Mr. Jahn is a Republican, but has never found leisure to become a candidate for public office despite the urgent solicitation of his many friends. His religious faith is German Lutheran, and he is one of the most loyal and devout members of and workers in the church of that so- ciety. On Sept. 26, 1884. he was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Schraeder, a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry Schraeder. Eight children have been the issue of this union, and their names and ages follow: Reinhardt, a plasterer, twenty-four : George, also a plasterer, twenty-two; Rosa, eighteen ; Walter, seventeen, a plas- terer : Olga, fourteen, in school : Annie, nine ; Minnie, three ; Ernest, one year and a half.
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