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 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126
RICHARD G. OWENS (DECEASED)
THE NEW MIR? PUBLIC MIRFARE
ASIO LYNCh TIENEN FOG DATIONS
215
BIOGRAPIIICAL
House, located on the site of the present Miller block. Richard G. Owens, the subject of this memoir, received the limited educational advantages afforded by the public schools of his day. While still a vonth he served for various periods in clerical capacities in the I. M. Morton Drug Store, the Drake Brothers Drug Store and the law offices of former Governor Salomon and the late Attorney-General Smith. When twenty years of age he engaged in the general mer- chandise business at Waterville, Wis., but the environment was not pleasing and he returned to Milwaukee in 1870 to become a book- keeper for D. W. Linfield & Company, a dry goods concern. He re- mained with this company but a year, and from 1871 to 1873 was a bookkeeper in the threshing machine works of Edward E. Owens & Company. In the latter year his father became interested in mining near Boulder, Colo., and Mr. Owens proceeded to that country to learn the details of the operations. He began his labors as a team- ster and rose to the position of superintendent. The venture did not "pan out" profitably, but Mr. Owens remained in the country until 1882. In that year the impaired health and the consequent death of his father necessitated his return to Milwaukee. He looked after the estate for about eighteen years, and now has charge of his mother's affairs. In politics Mr. Owens has been allied with the Republican party ever since he became old enough to cast a vote, but he has never sought public office. His religious relations are with the Plymouth Congregational church. On March I. 1884. oc- curred Mr. Owens' marriage to Miss Rachel L. Jones, a daughter of Hugh T. and Jane Jones, of New York. To this union have been born four children: Richard Gordon, deceased; Elmer S., aged twenty ; Raymond G., aged seventeen, and Laura M., aged fourteen.
Frederick Ketter, a prominent manufacturing cooper of the Cream City, was born in Weilburg, Hesse-Nassau, Germany, on Feb. 26, 1845. His parents, Frederick L. and Anna Maria (Goebel) Ketter, were both born in Germany in 1803 and spent their entire lives in that country. Frederick Ketter received the educational ad- vantages afforded by the common schools of his native land and while still a youth served an apprenticeship in the cooper's trade. For several years he worked as a journeyman at his trade in differ- ent cities of the Fatherland, and in 1867 determined to seek his for- tune in the New World. Accordingly he migrated to America and located in Milwaukee. He immediately found employment in his vocation and at the end of three years had accumulated sufficient funds to embark in the business on his own account. His inherent frugality and enterprise and his absolute integrity made the venture a success from the start, and from a small beginning it has now grown to be a concern of large proportions, employing about sixty- five men. It has been in its present location for the past fifteen years. Mr. Ketter is a Republican in his political affiliations, but the pressure of business affairs has restrained him from becoming a candidate for any public office, despite the earnest solicitation of his many friends. In religious matters he is a sincere believer in the creed formulated by Martin Luther and with his family is a regular
216
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
communicant of the Lutheran church. Fraternally he is also prom- inent, being a member of Aurora Lodge, No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons : Columbia Lodge, No. 11, Knights of Pythias: Teutonia Lodge, No. 11, Sons of Hermann, and the Eichen Kranz Singing So- ciety, of which he has been president eighteen years. On June 4, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Louise Goebel, and the children of this union were Albina, Ottilia, Alma, Frieda, Hedwig and Emma. The first wife died on June 2, 1883. On April 2, 1884, Mr. Ketter was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka Spankus, a daughter of Gottfried Spankus, of Milwaukee. Four children have been the issue of this union, namely: Olivia, Fred, Walter and Linda.
Joseph Etzius, the genial proprietor of the Aschermann Com- pany cigar factory at 308-310 Broadway, is a native of Germany, having been born in the province of Bingen-on-the-Rhine on Aug. 12, 1859. He is a son of Philip and Katherine (Oppermann) Et- zius, both of whom were born in 1834, the former at Bingen and the latter in Vallendar. Joseph Etzius, the subject of this review, re- ceived his scholastic training in the public and parochial schools of his native land. When he had completed his studies he served an apprenticeship in the cigarmaker's trade under the able direction of his father, who was recognized as one of the most proficient in his line. For several years he was a journeyman in his trade and in 1883 he migrated to the United States, locating first in Chicago. Later he entered the employ of the Aschermann Company at Mil- waukee as a cigarmaker. From 1893 until 1907 he was in business for himself, selling all his products to Arthur F. Aschermann. Early in 1907 he purchased the cigar business of Arthur F. Aschermann after his death, and has since been in active control of it, conducting the business under the name of the Aschermann Company. He also maintains direct supervision of the manufacture of the cigars made for the factory, making a specialty of "Fresh Every Day," "Carl Marr," "Enola," "La Flor de Trentanove," "Skat Club," "Ameri- can Beauty." "Comme il Faut" and "Our Eagle." Mr. Etzius' thor- ough knowledge of the trade of cigarmaking, gained by long experi- ence. assures his customers of the best quality of goods. His pat- ronage has increased from the time of his assumption of the man- agement until today his products are some of the most popular brands on the market. He is not allied with any of the existing po- litical parties, believing that good government can be had by the conscientious exercise of the right of suffrage rather than by the dictation of party affiliations. He is prominently identified with the Masonic Order, the Royal Arcanum, the Maccabees, the Cigar- makers' Society, the Turners and numerous other German societies. In 1886 Mr. Etzius was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Ertl Mann, daughter of Christian and Johanna (Limbes) Mann, of New Orleans. One son has been born to bless this union, Arthur L., a bookkeeper in his father's store.
Louis F. Klemm, M. D., is engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in the city of Milwaukee, and in addition to his extensive duties in that direction he serves as the West Side
217
BIOGRAPHICAL
county physician. He is also a member of the consulting staff of the Milwaukee County Hospital, and medical examiner for the G. U. G. Germania Humboldt Society No. 6, of Milwaukee. He was born in the city of Milwaukee on Aug. 27, 1870. son of Louis and Sophia (Voss) Klemm, both of whom were born at Hanover, Ger- many. the former in 1834 and the latter in 1845. These parents mi- grated to America in 1865, and located in the Cream City, at 704 Kinnickinnic avenue, in a building which he erected that is still standing, and there the father died in 1882, the mother still surviv- ing. He and his good wife became the parents of four sons and one daughter. all of whom are living with the exception of one son, Dr. Paul E. Klemm. This son began his career as an apprentice in a drug store at the age of twelve years, and after graduating in phar- macy was appointed at the head of the drug department of the Na- tional Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, which position he held for four years. He then pursued the study of medicine and after gradu- ation was appointed assistant surgeon at the National Soldiers' Home, which position he held until death. He died on June 28, 1900, at the age of twenty-eight years, in the midst of excellent pros- pects for a successful career in the line of his chosen profession. Dr. Louis F. Klemm, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee and at the age of eleven years started in life for himself. Beginning at that tender age, he has carved out his own career. After taking up the study of pharmacy he graduated in that branch of learning in 1895. With this preparation he entered the field of medicine and matriculating at the medical department of the Marquette University, he gradu- ated in that institution on April 3. 1900. Immediately upon his graduation he opened an office for the practice of his profession and has since been so engaged, meeting with success of a most unequiv- ocal order. His professional associations are with the Brainard Medical Society, the Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State and the American Medical associations. Fraternally he has membership in the Knights of Pythias Order, Prospect Lodge, No. 135. He was married on Nov. 27. 1907, to Miss Katharine, daughter of Jacob M. and Helen ( Goertz) Frey, of Milwaukee, the former of whom is a United States gauger in the First district of Wisconsin, a position he has held for the past seventeen years.
Alexander Kremers, M. D., is one of the younger members of the medical fraternity in the city of Milwaukee, but in the compara- tively short time he has been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion his success has been such as to augur well for his future career. He was born in Milwaukee on Sept. 9, 1881, son of Adam and Ber- tha (Schmidt) Kremers. the former of whom was born in Germany on April 23, 1837. and the latter in Milwaukee in January, 1850. The paternal grandfather was Peter Kremers, a native of Germany who migrated to America and located in Manitowoc. Wis., in 1848. living a number of years in that city, and then moved to Milwaukee, where he died. The maternal grandparents were George, John and Jo- hanna (Finkensieber) Schmidt. both natives of Germany who set-
218
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
tled in Milwaukee in a very early day and there spent the remainder of their lives. Adam Kremers, the father of the subject of this re- view, was eleven years old when he accompanied his parents to America, and after growing to manhood engaged in the mercantile business at Manitowoc for a number of years, being also secretary of the Milwaukee Gas Light Co. He is now living retired. Of the six children born to himself and wife five are living. Dr. Kremers received his primary education in the public schools of Milwaukee and then took a course in the West Bend High School. After due preliminary work he entered the medical department of the North- western University at Chicago and graduated in that institution with the class of 1905. He then served as interne at the Milwaukee County Hospital and as house physician at the Emergency Hospital for a time, after which he located at Athens, Wis., for the practice of his profession. He remained at Athens about six months and then, desiring a larger field, he removed to Milwaukee, and has since been engaged in practice here, meeting with unqualified success. Politically he maintains an independent position, and he is liberal in his religious views.
Edward E. Kalmerton, M. D., a practicing physician of Mil- waukee, was born in Sheboygan county, Wis., on Oct. 1, 1854, son of Ernst and Sophia Kalmerton, both of whom were natives of Westphalia, Prussia. The father migrated to America in the 40's, at the age of twenty-six years, and his wife came the year follow- ing. The marriage took place in Pennsylvania immediately upon her arrival, and the next year the parents of the subject of this re- view migrated to Wisconsin and settled in Sheboygan county, where the father entered a tract of government land and became an extensive farmer. The Indians were plentiful at that time in that portion of Wisconsin, but Mr. and Mrs. Kalmerton lived to see the almost wilderness in which they settled developed into a well-im- proved and progressive section of the state. They became the par- ents of six sons and two daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of two sons. Dr. Kalmerton received his early education in the public schools of his native place, attended the high school at Sheboygan Falls, and later took a course in the state normal at Oshkosh, working his way through school without financial sup- port from any source. He followed the profession of teaching for a period of ten years, in which occupation he met with merited suc- cess, and he served as principal of the Weyauwega (Wis.) schools for two years and the Ada (Minn.) schools one year. Following this he received the nomination for the office of county superintend- ent of schools on the Republican ticket. During his long service as a pedagogue he made preparation for the study of medicine, and in due time matriculated at the Rush Medical College at Chicago, in which institution he graduated with the class of 1887. Following his graduation he located in Ashland, Wis., where he practiced his profession and had charge of the hospital at that place for two years. At the end of this period he removed to Milwaukee, where he entered the general practice and had charge of the Isolation Hos-
219
BIOGRAPHICAL
pital for some time; then left the city and attended to a country practice for eight years. Returning then to Milwaukee, he has since been continuously engaged in practice, and the success that has at- tended his endeavors is very gratifying to himself and his large circle of friends. He was married on Oct. 1, 1891, to Miss Hattie V., daughter of Eli and Lucy (Armstrong) Stilson, of Oshkosh, Wis., the former of whom died in 1883 and the latter is living at the advanced age of eighty-two years. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Kalmerton there have been born two children: Harold, who died in infancy, and Edward Stilson. The Doctor is a Republican in his political views and is very active in the councils of his party. Pro- fessionally he has membership in the Milwaukee County and the Wisconsin State Medical associations, and he is the medical exam- iner for the Modern Woodmen of America and the National Union. Joseph Breslauer, one of the members of the A. Breslauer Com- pany, and a prominent business man of Milwaukee, was born in Milwaukee on Nov. 25, 1858, and is a son of Abraham Breslauer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. His education was received in the old West Side high school. He left the latter insti- tution in 1872 to enter business with his father in the clothing store on Third and Chestnut streets. In this capacity he worked until 1883, and then, when his father disposed of the business, he as- sisted him in the organization of the A. Breslauer Company. He has been one of the active spirits in the same concern since that time, and its success can in large measure be contributed to his en- terprise and thrift. He is allied with the Republican party in his political beliefs, but has never sought public office, the pressure of business affairs making it impossible for him to listen to the urgent solicitations of his friends to become a candidate. His fraternal relations are with the Travelers' Protective Association and the Milwaukee Musical Society. In religious matters he is actively identified with the Jewish Temple, which has no more loyal a mem- ber than Mr. Breslauer. On March 28, 1893, occurred his marriage to Miss Jettel. a daughter of Reuben and Paulina Breslauer, both born in Germany. The issue of this marriage has been four children : Samuel, born in 1894: Johanna, born in 1895; Paula, born in 1899; and Clarence, born in 1902. Mr. Breslauer is very popular among the Jewish element in the Cream City, and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the city.
Henry Harnischfeger, of the firm of Pawling & Harnischfeger, manufacturers of traveling cranes, and one of the largest manufac- turing firms in the Cream City, was born in Germany. He is a son of Konstantin and Christina (Adrian ) Harnischfeger, both of whom were born in Germany, the former in 1817 and the latter in 1818. The father conducted a tannery in the Fatherland, where he died in 1889. Henry Harnischfeger received his preliminary educational advantages in the public schools of Germany and in 1872 came to the United States, arriving in New York on April 9. He secured employment with the Singer Sewing Machine Company of New York and remained with that concern for more than nine years. At
220
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
the end of that time he came to Milwaukee with the Whitehill Sew- ing Machine Co., being foreman of the milling department. In 1882 he became acquainted with Alonzo Pawling, who was in the employ of the Whitehill Company as a pattern maker. Mr. Pawling, in 1883. with Mauritz Weiss, opened a machine and pattern shop. They dissolved partnership in 1884, at which time Mr. Harnisch- feger took over the interest of Mr. Weiss. Since then the firm has continued in business, first doing jobbing work, but later the busi- ness enlarged, and in 1889 the firm commenced the manufacture of traveling cranes. The factory is today one of the largest in the city .. Mr. Harneschfeger's business ability, learned by close attention to business while in New York and by attending evening school, stood him in good stead in the de- velopment of his venture and has contributed in large measure to its success. He is independent of party affiliation in political mat- ters, and is a liberal in his religious views. In fraternal and social matters he is prominently identified with the Deutscher Club, the German-English Academy, the Milwaukee Musical Society and the Milwaukee Turnverein. On Aug. 30, 1892, Mr. Harnischfeger was united in marriage to Miss Marie Kauwertz, a daughter of Fred- erick and Marie (Geyer) Kauwertz, of Milwaukee, and a grand- daughter of the late Rev. Mr. Gever. Four children were born to this union, two of whom are deceased. The two survivors are Frieda, born Nov. 25, 1894, and Walter, born Dec. 23, 1895.
Sol H. Ettenhein is a striking example of the class of self-made men who have contributed so largely to Milwaukee's rise as a com- mercial center of the Middle West. He is a son of E. H. and Hen- rietta (Strauss) Ettenhein and was born in this city on Feb. 22, 1859. The father was born in 1818 and the mother in 1817, and the former was a merchant who came to Milwaukee in 1853 and en- gaged in the mercantile business on Juneau avenue. His death oc- curred in 1865. Sol H. Ettenhein received the limited educational advantages afforded by the public schools of the city, and while still a youth was obliged to seek employment in order to contribute to the support of the fatherless family. His first labors were in a grocery and drygoods store and his duties occupied him from four in the morning to six at night, for the paltry income of sixty-five cents a week. Then for a period of years he was with H. S. Mack & Company, following which he was engaged as a commercial trav- eler for several seasons. His own business was started when he opened a retail clothing store at 1017 Winnebago avenue, and his success brought to the front those qualities which are so essential to the growth of any business. Through misfortune all his worldly goods were lost in 1902, but undaunted he embarked a year later in the real estate business. Reared in the school of hardship and pri- vation, he had become imbued with traits of thrift and enterprise which stood him in good stead in the starting of a new business. That he has been well repaid for those months when he was com- pelled to forego many of the pleasures of life is evidenced in the measure of success which now crowns his every effort. In politics
221
BIOGRAPHICAL
he is allied with the Republican party, but the pressure of other duties has restrained him from becoming a candidate for public of- fice. Fraternally he is prominently identified with the Knights of Honor and the Columbian Knights, and is a devout and sincere communicant of the Jewish Temple. On Dec. 4, 1881, Mr. Etten- hein was united in marriage to Miss Lena Mannikin, a daughter of J. M. and Henrietta (Sandels) Mannikin, of Milwaukee. Five chil- dren have been the issue of this union, three of whom survive: J. M., born in 1883; Florence, born in 1887; and Milton B., born in 1894
Philip Orth, president of the firm of Philip Orth & Company, flour and feed dealers, doing a large business all over the state, was born in Germany on March 17, 1845. He is one of nine children, eight sons and a daughter, of Adam and Elizabeth ( Regner) Orth, both of whom lived all their lives in Germany. He was reared in the Fatherland and attended the public schools of that country until he was nearly twenty years of age. In 1865 he migrated to the United States and located in Milwaukee. For the first three years he devoted his time to the study of American institutions and busi- ness methods in Markham's Academy and the Spencerian Business College, in 1868 entered the employ of the Mechanics' Insurance Company in a clerical capacity, and subsequently was for a time employed as a bookkeeper for another firm. In 1878 he embarked in the flour, feed and grain business, and for thirty years has been conducting it with almost unparalleled success. His inherent traits of enterprise, frugality and sterling integrity have won for him a large patronage and many friends. Mr. Orth has not allied himself with any of the existing political parties, preferring to cast his vote as his judgment dictates rather than be bound by the will of party leaders. With his family he is a member of the German Lutheran church and one of the most devout and earnest members of the con- gregation. He is much engrossed in business, but finds leisure to get recreation in the gatherings of the Milwaukee Musical Society, of which he is a prominent member. He also belongs to many other German societies and institutions. On Aug. 12, 1891. Mr. Orth was united in marriage to Miss Martha Meinecke, a daughter of Edward and Pauline (Von Zastrow) Meinecke, of Milwaukee. To this union have been born four children : Philip, Edward, Frederick and Margaret ; born in 1893, 1895, 1898 and 1900, respectively.
Ernst Pommer, the proprietor of the E. Pommer Company, dealers in wholesale California and Rhine wines, was born in Ger- many on Nov. 8. 1858. He is a son of Henry and Lizette Pommer, who resided in Halle a. d. s. Germany. The father was a tinner by vocation and conducted a store in the Fatherland. His death occurred in 1895. Ernst Pommer, the subject of this review, ac- quired his educational advantages in the public schools of his native land, but left them in 1872 in order to become a bookkeeper. In 1878 he migrated to the United States, and came direct to Milwau- kee after landing. For several years he was employed in clerical capacities in various stores and offices, and then with the savings
222
MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY
which he had accumulated during these years of work he estab- lished the E. Pommer Company. The venture proved successful from the start and it is today not only one of the oldest but also one of the most flourishing in the city. Mr. Pommer's only social rela- tions are with the Deutscher Club, and in politics he is a member of the Republican party, but has never sought nor held public office of any character. He is a communicant of the German Lutheran church. On June 6, 1888, Mr. Pommer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Schroeter, a daughter of Otto L. Schroeter, of Water- town. The issue of this union has been one son, born in 1889, Wal- ter, who is now a senior in the Milwaukee University School.
Louis Hallbach, one of the well-known furriers and rising busi- ness men of the Cream City, with an establishment at 454 Milwau- kee street, is an American by birth, born in New York city, N. Y., on Feb. 29, 1872. His parents, Peter C. and Eva (Gatting) Hall- bach, were both natives of Germany, who immigrated to the United States. His father was a furrier in the old country and has con- tinued that vocation since coming to America. Louis received his education in the public schools of Kentucky until he was sixteen years of age, and in 1888 began to learn the furrier's trade. Seven years later he came to Milwaukee to enter the employ of the Han- sen Empire Fur Factory as an expert furrier. Mr. Hallbach was very ambitious and not content to remain in the employ of others for any length of time and in 1900 established himself in business in the Goldsmith building; but finding these quarters inadequate to conduct the business satisfactorily, he removed to 454 Milwaukee street, where he has continued to carry on his business ever since. He is a self-made man and his prosperity is due entirely to his tire- less industry and business ability. His establishment is one of the finest ladies' tailoring and fur houses in the city and turns out only the highest class goods. Mr. Hallbach has built up a substantial house, due to his fair dealing and desire to please his customers. He is affiliated with no political party, believing it better to exercise his privilege of franchise to vote for the man who stands for national and municipal reform and clean politics rather than be bound by party ties. He is a member of the Royal League and is associated with the Knights of Pythias. In 1895 he married Miss Mate Peck, of Albany, N. Y., and they have one child, Peter Francis, who is eleven years old. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.