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 23

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072

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 23

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John Elser, a popular meat dealer at 463 East Water street, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on Jan. 25, 1835. He is a son of John M. Elser and his wife (nee Margaret Rabael). His educa- tional training was limited to the courses afforded by the public schools of his native land. Being of an ambitious nature he de- termined to seek his fortune in the New World, and accordingly, when but fifteen years of age, he immigrated to America. He came direct to Milwaukee after his arrival and obtained employment in the meat business. After a few years he had saved sufficient of his earnings to embark in business for himself, and in 1868 he opened the store which he has ever since so successfully managed. Reared in a school of hardship and privation he brought to his business those traits of honesty and frugality with which he had early be- come imbued, with the result that success has crowned his every effort. He is not affiliated with any one of the existing political parties, preferring to exercise his right of franchise as his con- science and judgment dictate rather than be hampered by party ties. His religious relations are with the Lutheran church, and all his children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Elser's wife was formerly Miss Frances Auer, of Milwaukee. Seven children came to bless their marriage, Albert C., William J., Hedwig, Clara, Irma,

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Adela and Robert, deceased. For more than forty years Mr. Elser has been an influential member of the Chamber of Commerce.

William C. Bensemann, the popular secretary and treasurer of the Northern Construction Company, was born in Milwaukee on July 8, 1858, and is a son of John H. and Katherine Bensemann, of Hanover, Germany. His scholastic training was received in the public and Lutheran parochial schools, and later he took a course in business training at the Spencerian Business College. When he was but eighteen years of age he became apprenticed to John Langenberger, and under his proficient preceptorship soon learned the details of the carpenter's trade. After serving some years as a journeyman in his vocation he became estimator for the William H. Schmidt Sash and Door Company, but later served in that ca- pacity with Ferge & Keipper. In 1900 Mr. Ferge with others organ- ized the Northern Construction Company, and upon the election of officers Mr. Bensemann was made the secretary, and soon after- ward assumed the responsible duties of treasurer. In political mat- ters he is allied with the progressive element of the Republican party. His religious relations are with the German Lutheran church. On Sept. 3, 1885, Mr. Bensemann was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Wohlers, a daughter of Diedrich and Sophia Wohl- ers, pioneers of Milwaukee, who came from Hanover, Germany. To this union has been born one daughter, Sophia.

Fred N. Winter, one of the instructors and owners of the Winter Conservatory of Music, is a native of Milwaukee, where he was born on March 15, 1882. He is of direct German descent, his father, Fred Winter, having been born in Germany in 1853. His mother, Eva (Freis) Winter, was born in Milwaukee in 1857. Both the maternal and paternal grandparents were native Ger- mans. Fred N. Winter received his scholastic training in the pub- lic and parochial schools of the Cream City. His musical instruc- tion was received from the best teachers which the city afforded, and long before he opened his present studio at 222 Grand avenue, he had won a reputation as a skilled soloist. He started his work as a teacher in 1900 and later became associated with his sister, Mrs. May Winter, and his brother, Robert, in the Winter Conservatory of Music. In this institution instruction is given on the violin. mandolin, guitar, piano and flute. In politics Mr. Winter is allied with the Democratic party, but has never aspired to public office. In religious matters he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he is affiliated with St. Leo's Sodality Club, the Catholic Choral Club, the Deutscher Mannerferein and other societies. Mr. Winter is recognized throughout the city as an ex- cellent musician and is often called upon to appear in public.

Martin Wingerter, a musician of well known ability, is a na- tive of Germany, where he was born Nov. 1. 1860, at Speier-on-the- Rhine. He is a son of Frederick M. Wingerter and Mary M. (Wet- tengel) Wingerter, both of whom lived their lives in the Father- land, where they were born in 1839. Martin's scholastic training was received in the common schools of the land of his birth and

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the Latin school. His musical education was received from some of the best teachers which Germany afforded. For four years he took private instruction on the violin from Michael Mohler, who played first violin at the Court and National theater at Mannheim ; for two years he was a student at the Royal Music School at Wurtz- burg, and for two years more he was a student under Prof. Jean Becker, one of the most celebrated teachers of violin in Germany. His residence in the United States dates from 1885. At the time of his arrival Mr. H. M. Mandel and Prof. Hans Catenhusen were advertising for musicians to play in the large saengerfest which was held in Milwaukee in 1886, and in answer to their advertise- ment Mr. Wingerter came to the Cream City, which has ever since been his residence. In politics he allies himself with the Republic- an party. His church affiliations are with the Protestant Evan- gelical society of Germany, and his only fraternal association is with the Milwaukee Musicians' Association. On Sept. 19, 1885, Mr. Wingerter was united in marriage to Miss Jeanne Ponsot, daughter of Alype and Adele (Maillot) Ponsot, of the Depart- ment of Doubs, France. Mrs. Wingerter is a grandniece of the late Bishop Consot, for many years prominent in New York ecclesiast- ical history. To Mr. and Mrs. Wingerter has been born one son, Frederick M., who is now associated with H. Hengels, the architect.

John Blommer, part owner and manager of an enterprising wagon company in Milwaukee, was born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1861. His ancestors for many generations were residents of Ger- many, where his father. Michael Blommer, was born in 1817, and the mother, Anna (Neubauer) Blommer, in 1822. The father came to Milwaukee some sixty-five years ago. John Blommer took ad- vantage of what educational opportunities the parochial schools of the city afforded, and when he had completed his course of study there he learned the wagon maker's trade. For the past quarter of a century now he has operated a wagon-making enterprise under the name of Shielke & Blommer, which has come to stand for skilled workmanship, integrity and square dealing. Politically Mr. Blom- mer is a member of the Democratic party, and although engrossed in his everyday work he finds time to devote to working for the good of that party. Both he and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Blommer was united in marriage on May 7, 1888, to Miss Katherine Kessenisch, a daughter of Herman J. and Gertrude Kessenisch, of Milwaukee. Nine children have blessed this union. They are Marie, Joseph J., a rate clerk in the offices of the Rock Island railroad; Theresa, Conrad, in the em- ploy of the Andrae Electrical Company ; Gertrude, Walter, Dorothy. Sylvester and Ruth.

Jacob Tellier, prominent in the commercial life of Milwaukee as the superintendent of construction of the Herman Andrae Elec- trical Company, was born in Milwaukee on Dec. 16, 1871. He is of good Dutch stock, the father, William Tellier, having been born in Rotterdam, Holland, in 1843 and the mother, Alice ( De Vriese)

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Tellier, in Zealand, Holland, in 1846. The grandparents on both sides spent all their lives in the Netherlands. Jacob Tellier re- ceived his preliminary educational training in the grammar and high schools of Milwaukee, and for time attended the University of Wis- consin at Madison. For a period of nineteen years now he has been in the electrical business in Milwaukee, and his name has be- come a byword for honesty, fair dealing and skillful workmanship. In political matters he is not affiliated with any political party, pre- ferring to exercise his right of suffrage where it will redound best to the interests of the city, state or country. His religious affilia- tions are with the Presbyterian church. On Sept. 22, 1893, Mr. Tellier was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Pfaller. a daughter of Dr. John and Theresa (Obermeyer ) Pfaller, of Jefferson, Wis. To this union two sons have been born : Arthur A. and Edgar H.

Peter A. Holtz, retired, who for many years was one of Mil- waukee's most prominent business men, was born in Gusten, Julich Aachen, Germany, on Feb. 10, 1840. He is a son of Theodore A. Holtz and Maria S. (Gussen) Holtz, both native Germans. His paternal grandfather was a prominent brewer of the Fatherland. Peter A. Holtz, the subject of this review, received his education in the public schools of his native land and started his business career there. In 1868 he came to Milwaukee direct from Germany, and for a period of five years was engaged in various occupations. In 1873 he formed a partnership with a Mr. Miller under the firm name of Miller & Holtz. and from that time until his retirement in 1895 he conducted a model saloon and restaurant at the corner of West Water street and Grand avenue, known as "Best's Corner." Politically Mr. Holtz is allied with the Democratic party, but never has aspired to public office. His religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church, and his children have all been reared in that faith. In fraternal matters he is associated with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Holtz's marriage to Miss Augusta, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Sutermann) Lechner, occurred in November, 1877. Four children came to bless this union. Peter C., the eldest, is a clerk in the abstract office in the courthouse. John is connected with the Philip Jung Brewing Company. Gabella and Alexander are at home. The Holtz home at 253 Queen Anne Place is one of the most sightly and homelike resi- dences in the city.

Rev. Herman L. Fritschel, a minister of the gospel of the Luth- eran faith and director of the Milwaukee Passavant Hospital, was born in St. Sebald, Clayton county. Ia., on May 15, 1869. He is a son of Prof. Gottfried Fritschel, D. D., a native of Nuremberg, Ger- many, and Eliza (Koeberle) Fritschel, born in Bavaria, Germany. The paternal ancestry has been traced back to 1624. For two centuries most of the male members of the family were armorers of Nuremberg. Dr. Fritschel. the father, came from Germany in 1857 to assume charge of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at St. Sebald, Ia., and soon took his place as one of the leaders of the Lutheran church in the West. In 1874 he removed to Mendota,

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Ill., and there served as a professor in the college and seminary until his death, which occurred in 1889. He was a man prominent in church circles because of his scholarly attainments, his valuable services as pastor, missionary, professor and author. He was one of the most prominent theologians of the Lutheran church in America. Rev. Herman L. Fritschel, the subject of this review, at- tended the public schools at Mendota, Ill., and the college at the same place, and received his theological education in the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mendota, Ill., now at Dubuque, Ia., and then took a post-graduate course in Leipsig and Erlangen, Germany, His ordination to the ministry occurred in 1892 and his first charge was the church at Superior, Wis. After five years of service in the northern Wisconsin city he accepted a call to Brandon, Wis., and filled the pulpit of the Lutheran church there most creditably for another five years. In 1902 he came to Milwaukee to assume the directorship of the Milwaukee Hospital and the Deaconess Insti- tute, a position he has filled in a most satisfactory manner. On Aug. 27, 1894, occurred his marriage to Miss Katherine Ide, a daughter of Rev. C. and Barbara (Prottengeier) Ide, of Iowa. To this union have been born five children: Herbert E., Margaret E., Roland P., Edgar E. and Ruth B.

Albert J. Muckerheide, M. D., has been engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Milwaukee during the past eight years, and he has met with unqualified success from the very beginning of his professional career. He was born at Kewaskum, Washington county, Wisconsin, on Oct. 16, 1874, son of Jacob H. and Christina (Tiss) Muckerheide, both of whom were born in Germany. The paternal grandparents, Arnold and Wilhelmina (Wolf) Mucker- heide, migrated from the Fatherland to America and in 1850 settled in Washington county, Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their lives engaged in farming. The maternal grandaprents, Nicholas Tiss and wife, were also natives of Germany, and in 1846 they left their native land for the United States, taking up their abode in Washington county, Wisconsin, where they lived out the remainder of their allotted years. Jacob H. Muckerheide, the father of the subject of this review, was but a child when he ac- companied his parents to America, and he was reared on a farm in Washington county, Wisconsin. Upon reaching manhood he became a hardware merchant and followed that occupation at Ke- waskum, Wis .. for a number of years, after which he became a traveling salesman. He was a Democrat in his political views, tak- ing a very active interest in public affairs, and in 1878 was elected as a representative from Washington county in the Wisconsin assembly, serving one term in that position. His widow is still living, and of the six sons and two daughters born to these parents five sons and one daughter survive. Dr. Muckerheide received his primary education in the public and parochial schools of Kewas- kum, Wis., and later took a course in Marquette College in the city of Milwaukee. Then applying himself to the study of medicine, in due time he matriculated at the Milwaukee Medical College, in

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which institution he graduated with the class of 1900, and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession, with the city of Milwaukee as his field of endeavor. He was married on Aug. 29, 1905, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Bar- bara (Liesenfeld) Wanguard, natives of Germany, who migrated to America in 1877 and settled in Milwaukee, where they now re- side. To Dr. and Mrs. Muckerheide there has been born one son, Albert J., Jr. In politics Dr. Muckerheide gives an unswerving allegiance to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party, believing that they represent the true principles of government, and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he has membership in the Catholic Order of Foresters and also in the Modern Woodmen of America.

Walter J. Kelly, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Milwaukee, was born in the town of Richfield, Washington county, Wisconsin, on Jan. 18, 1862, son of Mathew and Catherine (Dunn) Kelly, both of whom were natives of Ireland. These parents mi- grated from the Emerald Isle to America about 1837 and settled in Washington county, Wis., where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father following the occupation of a farmer. The mother died in 1864 and the father survived until 1880, and of the eleven children born to these parents nine are now living. Dr. Kelly received his primary education in the public schools of his native county, and later took a course in Carroll College at Wau- kesha, Wis. Then turning his attention to the study of medicine, after due preparation he matriculated in the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, from which institu- tion he graduated with the class of 1884. Immediately after his graduation he established himself at Kewaskum, Wis., for the prac- tice of his profession and remained there for a period of six years, meeting with very gratifying success. Desiring a larger field, in 1890 he removed to the city of Milwaukee, where he has since been engaged in active practice, and he ranks among the most efficient medical practitioners in the city. He was married in 1889 to Miss Mary Muckerheide, of Kewaskum, daughter of Jacob Muckerheide, deceased, and to this union there have been born five children, all of whom are living: Mortimer, Walter, Francis, May and Clar- ence. Dr. Kelly is independent in his political views, although he keeps in close touch with affairs of a public nature, and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church. His professional associations are with the Wisconsin State Medical Society.

Gustave C. Hoyer, M. D., a practicing physician of the city of Milwaukee, was born in Hamburg, Germany, on Feb. 3. 1860, son of Rev. A. and Agnes (Moraht) Hoyer, who were also natives of the Fatherland. These parents migrated to America in 1865 and located at Green Lake, Wis., where the mother died in 1876 and the father in 1902. Seven children were born to them, of whom only four are now living. Dr. G. C. Hover was a lad of but five years when he accompanied his parents to America, and he received his early education in the schools of Green Lake, Wis. Later he

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entered the Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis., and after taking a course in that institution he began the study of medicine. After due preparation he matriculated at Rush Medical College in the city of Chicago and graduated there with the class of 1882. He then opened an office for the practice of his profession at Prince- ton, in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and was located there for the ensuing eight years, meeting with a high order of success. In 1890, however, desiring a larger field for the exercise of his talent, he removed to Milwaukee, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession, and where he is recognized as one of the Cream City's most highly respected citizens. He was married in May, 1883, to Miss Emma Kiesel, of Baltimore, Md., and to this union there have been born three children: Emma, Lucia and Hans. Dr. Hover is independent in his political views, not claiming allegiance to any partisan organization, and his re- ligious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. He keeps in touch with the advanced ideas in his profession and has membership in the Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State, and the American Medical associations.

Anthony A. Dorszynski, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Milwaukee, was born in that city on June 13, 1876, son of Matthias and Dorothea (Polczynski) Dorszynski, both of whom are natives of Polish Germany. These parents migrated to America in 1874 and settled in the city of Milwaukee, where they still reside. Eight children were born to them and of this number five are now living. Dr. A. A. Dorszynski received his early educa- tion in the parochial schools of Milwaukee and then completed a course in Marquette College. After his graduation at that institu- tion he began the study of medicine, finally matriculating at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, and there he grad- uated with the class of 1902. He then immediately engaged in the practice of his profession, having been continuously so em- ployed to the present time, and his success has been of a high order, commensurate to his talent and energy. He was married on June 10, 1903, to Miss Teophila Salaty, a native of Poland, daughter of Michael and Magdalena (Janaszak) Salaty, who now reside in the city of Milwaukee. Dr. Dorszynski is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and his professional associations are with the Milwaukee, the Milwaukee County, and the Wisconsin State Medical societies. He also has membership in the alumni association of Marquette College.

William E. McKivitt, M. D., engaged in the general practice of his profession in the city of Milwaukee, was born at Stoneham, Mass., on March 28, 1865, son of William H. and Mary ( Purcel) McKivitt, the former of whom was born at Jamestown, Va., and the latter at Waterford, Ireland. The mother migrated to America in 1855 and settled in Boston, Mass., with her parents, John and Mary ( Whitty) Purcel, both of whom died in that city. William H. McKivitt, the father of the subject of this review, left his old Virginia home in early manhood and located in Massachusetts,

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where he was residing at the outbreak of the Civil war. On July 16, 1861, he was mustered into the United States service at Fort Independence as drum major in the Thirteenth Massachusetts in- fantry, which left the Bay State for Hagerstown, Md., on July 30, and was thence ordered to Sharpsburg. Various posts along the upper Potomac were held by this regiment during the autumn and winter, and in the second battle of Bull Run it suffered its first heavy losses. The next engagement was Antietam, and the for- tunes of the Army of the Potomac were then followed on its march south and at Fredericksburg, where the regiment's place was on the skirmish line. It joined in the Chancellorsville campaign and at Gettysburg made a gallant charge, with great loss. After the Mine Run campaign it established winter quarters at Mitchell's Station, which it occupied till April 26, 1864, when it took part in the Wilderness campaign. At the Wilderness the position of the regiment was not especially exposed. but at Spottsylvania on May 8, it was in the front of the fight. From that time, including the engagements at North Anna river, Bethesda Church, and Cold Harbor, it was generally on the skirmish line, and it was occupied in siege duties at Petersburg when its term of service expired. Mr. McKivitt participated with his regiment in all its trying service and was mustered out with it at Boston on Aug. 1, 1864. He re- mained in Massachusetts three years longer, and then, in 1867, re- moved to the city of Milwaukee, where he engaged in the shoe business with Bjorkquist & Co. He died in Milwaukee in 1887 and his widow is now living in that city. Dr. McKivitt was but two years old when his parents removed from Massachusetts to Mil- waukee, and he received his early education in private and parochial schools, attending for a time Gall's school, which is now called Gesu parish. He then took a course in the Milwaukee high school, and later took up the study of medicine, graduating at the Barnes Medical College in St. Louis, Mo., with the class of 1895. He im- mediately located in Milwaukee for the active practice of his pro- fession and has since been so engaged. He was married on May 15, 1907, to Miss Maud Heath, of Milwaukee, who died on Oct. 30, of the same year. Dr. McKivitt is a Republican in his political views and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the American and the Milwaukee County Medical associations, and fraternally he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

George Frederick Zaun, M. D., is engaged in the practice of medicine in the city of Milwaukee, making a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and in addition to caring for a large and increasing practice he has for some time officiated as in- structor and clinical teacher on the eye and car in the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was born in the town of Mequon, Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, on April 11, 1868, son of Jacob and Margaret (Bauernfeind) Zaun, both of whom were born in Germany. The maternal grandparents, George Bauern-

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feind and wife, came to America about 1848 and settled in the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, where they lived out the remainder of their lives. The father of the subject of this review migrated to America in 1840 and settled in the town of Mequon with his parents, who spent their last days in Ozaukee county. He fol- lowed farming as an occupation during the earlier part of his career, but afterward engaged in the elevator business at Cedar- burg, Wis., and now lives retired in Milwaukee. While liv- ing in Cedarburg he served as a member of the board of aldermen for many years. Dr. Zaun received his preliminary education in the common and high schools of Cedarburg and later took a course in the state normal at Oshkosh, after which he followed the profes- sion of teaching four years. While thus engaged he began the study of medicine and after due preparation entered the Rush Med- ical College at Chicago, where he graduated with the class of 1893. He then spent eighteen months as interne in the Alexian Brothers' Hospital at Chicago and practiced his profession in that city con- tinuously for seven years, after which he spent two years in Eu- rope, doing post-graduate work at Vienna and London. Upon his return to America in 1903, in July of that year, he located in Mil- waukee, where he has since been engaged in active practice, making a specialty, as stated above, of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. During six years of the time which he spent in Chicago he served as instructor at the Rush Medical College on Preventive Medicine and Therapeutics. He was married on March 10, 1896, to Miss Anna M. Stoker, of Chicago, daughter of Mathew and Jane (Murray) Stoker, both of whom were natives of Newcastle-upon- Tyne, England, and are now deceased. Dr. Zaun is independent in his political views, taking a deep interest, however, in public affairs, but he gives his support to the men and measures that meet his conscientious approval, regardless of the party name under which they are found. He was reared in the Lutheran religious faith, and among the professional organizations with which he affiliates may be mentioned the Milwaukee, the Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State, the American and the Brainard Medical asso- ciations. He is also a member of the Phi Rho Sigma medical fra- ternity, and in the Masonic order has membership in Lafayette Lodge, No. 265.

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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 23

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Watrous, Jerome Anthony, 1840- ed
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Madison : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 1072