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 3

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

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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

acquired a large and lucrative practice. Later he matriculated at Hahnemann Medical College, and was graduated from the same in 1872. For the five years succeeding he followed the practice of his profession in Milwaukee, in partnership with his uncle, Dr. Leuthstrom, when failing health compelled him to abandon it for a time. Purchasing a ranch in Clark county, Kas., Dr. Carlson spent the next two years in out-door life, regaining his health. Be- fore returning to the practice of medicine he took a trip abroad. visiting his native land, and supplementing his professional knowl- edge by visiting the leading hospitals of England and the continent. and taking careful observations. On returning to Milwaukee he entered into a partnership with Dr. Danforth, who had purchased the business when Dr. Carlson was obliged to give it up, and this partnership continued for three years, when it was dissolved, and the latter opened an office by himself. In the intervening years, the Doctor's practice has steadily increased, and his professional ability has been recognized in many ways. He has been president of the Wisconsin Homeopathic Society, president of the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, supreme medical director for the United States for the Royal Adelphia, and medical examiner for the Royal Arcanum of the state of Wisconsin. He belongs to the orders mentioned, and also to the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been commander of the E. B. Wolcott Post, No. 1, and held posi- tions on the staffs of Generals Fairchild, Veasy and Warner. when they were commanders-in-chief of the Grand Army. Dr. Carlson, like all members of his profession, has been frequently called upon to give his professional aid to charitable objects, and has nobly re- sponded, an instance being his gratuitous services to the Milwaukee Protestant Orphan asylum for eighteen years. On Feb. 8, 1871, Dr. Carlson was married to Miss Bertha Strong, daughter of Rob- ert H. Strong, one of the pioneers of Milwaukee, and niece of Rear Admiral Strong, of the United States navy. To this union, one daughter, Edith, was born.

Alfred Levi Cary, an attorney of Milwaukee, who has been con- nected with some of the most important litigation of the state, is a native of Sterling, Cayuga county, N. Y., and belongs to New England families, his parents, Nathaniel C. and Sophia (Eaton) Cary, having been born in Shoreham, Vt., and Mansfield, Conn., respectively. Both are now deceased. They came to Wisconsin in 1879, and the father was by vocation a wagon-maker and con- nected with the foundry, although he was practically retired from active work after coming west. Alfred L. was born July 23, 1835, and received his early education at Sterling, N. Y., later attending the academy at Auburn and the seminary at Fulton in the same state. After coming west he attended the high school at Racine at the time when John G. McMynn, a distinguished educator of the state, and at one time state superintendent of schools, was principal. Entering the office of his uncle. John W. Cary, of Racine, in May, 1858, Alfred L. began the study of law and was admitted to the bar by examination in 1860. He came to Milwaukee early in Jan-

BIOGRAPHICAL

uary, 1859, with his uncle, and was in the office of Cary & Pratt as clerk until 1864, when the partnership was dissolved and a new one of J. W. & A. L. Cary formed, to which subsequently J. P. C. Cot- trill was admitted, the firm continuing until 1874, when the senior member withdrew to become general solicitor of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway Company. The firm of Cottrill & Cary was maintained until 1879, and meanwhile Mr. Cary became the general solicitor for the Milwaukee, Lakeshore & Western Railway Company, remaining in that position until the sale of the road to the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company in 1893. August of the same year Mr. Cary was appointed by Judge Jenkins, of the United States circuit court for the eastern district, "special master," for the litigation then pending in that court for the fore- closure of the mortgages given by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. The suit thus brought was the primary case and there followed auxiliary suits throughout the length of the Northern Pacific railroad line. One of the mortgages had been given by the Northern Pacific Company to the Farmers' Loan and Trust Co., of New York, and others, to similar trust companies. There were three mortgages involved in these proceedings, and Thomas F. Oakes, Henry C. Payne and Henry A. Rouse were appointed re- ceivers. Mr. Cary's duties related to the passing of the receivers' accounts and the hearing of various claims and litigation which were referred to him by the court. The mortgages aggregated many millions and the judgment for deficiencies allowed by Mr. Cary amounted to $100,000,000 above the original claims. He sold the Northern Pacific Railroad and Land Grant under the decree entered by the court, and the Northern Pacific Railway Company today holds its title by the deed given by Mr. Cary as "Special Master." In 1894 he formed a partnership with Mr. Fish, and in 1897 Messrs. Upham and Black were added, the firm continuing until the death of Mr. Fish in August, 1900, since which time the firm has been Cary, Upham & Black. In politics Mr. Cary was originally a Democrat, supporting that party until the first Bryan campaign, since which time he has given his allegiance to the Re- publican organization. He served as a member of the common council of Milwaukee in 1872, and the following year was elected a member of the legislature. He belongs to the Masonic order, to the Milwaukee Club-having been one of the original members and president of the organization for six years-and also to the Country and Fox Point Chibs. On Sept. 6, 1864, occurred his marriage to Miss Harriet M. Van Slyck, daughter of Jesse M. and Nancy Mc- Hinch ( Bovd) Van Slyck, of Milwaukee, and to the union the fol- lowing children were born: Robert J., Walter, Harriet S. and Irving B.

George L. Thomas, funeral director and embalmer, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Cincinnati. Jan. 7, 1843. His parents were William R. and Christiana S. (Knight) Thomas, the former born in Hagerstown, Md., and the latter in New Orleans, La. George L. participated in the Civil war, having enlisted as a pri-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

vate in Company D, Second Kentucky infantry, in June, 1861, and the regiment was in the siege of Corinth, the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, and was mustered out in March, 1863. Mr. Thomas came first to Wisconsin as a traveling accountant for the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Company, in 1868. In 1875 he engaged in the livery business in Milwaukee, and two years later entered the line which he is now following. He carried on both the livery and undertaking business until 1899, when he dis- continued the former. In the process of embalming Mr. Thomas was the pioneer in Wisconsin, attending the first school opened for instruction in that line, in Cincinnati, Ohio, March, 1882. He has served as president of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors' and Embalmers' Association, and as secretary for eight years, and on all of the important committees; was also vice-president of the National Funeral Directors of the United States, refusing the presi- dency in 1899. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order; to the Grand Army of the Republic, serving for six consecutive years as trustee of the Wisconsin Veterans' Home, all of that time being president of the board of trustees; is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Milwaukee division, uniform rank; of the Order of East- ern Star ; the Milwaukee Athletic Club ; and Merchants' and Manu- facturers' Association. In politics he is a supporter of the prin- ciples and policies of the Republican party, and in religious matters belongs to the Congregational church. On Nov. 16, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia N. Sivyer, daughter of Joseph and Dorothea (Davis) Sivyer, of Milwaukee; the daughter born to this union, Lillian, is now the wife of Edward F. Pierce, of Mil- waukee, who is engaged in the electric light and fixture business.

Edwin Hyde, retired, one of the oldest and most respected cit- izens of Milwaukee, where for more than half a century he has been an influence'for good, was born in England on June 8, 1828. He is the only surviving child of the five born to Peter and Harriet (Har- ris) Hyde. His mother died when he was but three years old, and the father passed away in 1871. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade and his death occurred shortly after his son had crossed the Atlantic to make him a visit. Edwin Hyde received the limited educational advantages afforded by the common schools of England, and in 1857 came to the United States, being the only member of the family to leave the native land. After a year spent in Chicago he removed to Milwaukee and formed a partnership for the purpose of dealing in cut stone, under the firm name of Cook & Hyde. For more than forty years this firm did business, and al- though it started in a small way it soon grew to immense propor- tions and it became necessary to establish a branch office at Minne- apolis, Minn. In 1898 Mr. Hyde retired from active participation in commercial life and has since been enjoying a well-earned respite after a life of industry. In 1871 he was elected a trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, and is today. with the exception of Henry L. Palmer, the oldest member of the board

EDWIN HYDE

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOK TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

BIOGRAPHICAL

of trustees of that institution. Always a Republican in his politic- al views, he has done much to bring about the success of that party and has several times been the successful candidate for office. He has served a number of years in the city council, first in 1860, and in 1866 was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the state legislature. He refused re-election the following year, but served again in the sessions of 1877 and 1878, and in 1879 and 1880 was a member of the state senate. Mr. Ilyde has been for a great many years a devout member of the Grand Avenue Methodist Epis- copal church, and has served many times in the capacity of lay preacher. He has the unique record of having officiated at more weddings and more funerals than any other local preacher of the denomination. In 1863 at the Waukesha conference he was elected as one of the deacons, and in 1870 at the Janesville conference of the church he was elected to position of elder. At the present time he is vice-president of the board of trustees of the Grand Avenue church, and devotes a large portion of his time to the duties of that office. He was chairman of the building committee which erected the fine new edifice which the congregation now occupies. He has always been intensely interested in Sunday school work and is the incumbent of the office of superintendent of the Sabbath school, having served in that position for nearly thirty-four years. In the early sixties he preached in the Oak Creek Congregational church some months to help out, and he preached in almost all lo- calities in early years; consequently he has a large following of friends among the pioneers. He was a close friend of Rev. Mr. Un- derwood, the pioneer preacher. He was an active worker in the or- ganization known as the Milwaukee County Bible Society. Dur- ing the busy years of his life Mr. Hyde has found time to devote to missionary work and charitable institutions and by his activity in this direction he has exerted a remarkable influence in causing others to substantially contribute to these movements. His efforts have been seconded by many men who are not members of the church.

Charles Ray has for many years been a prominent figure in Mil- waukee commercial life. He was born on Jan. 27, 1835, in Sauger- ties, N. Y., a son of Adam E. and Eliza ( Breasted) Ray. In Sep- tember, 1838, the family removed to Wisconsin, locating on a farm in the western part of the county of Milwaukee. There the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1867. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the region and served in the territorial council of 1839. He was one of the directors of the old Milwaukee & Mississippi Railway Company, now part of the system of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. In 1845 he removed his family to what is now Walworth county, but later removed again to Waukesha county. Charles Ray, the subject of this review, received his education in a log schoolhouse and followed an Indian trail to get to and from the daily sessions. His teacher was Miss Field, a daughter of Judge Field, of Mukwonago, and later she be- came the wife of Andrew E. Elmore, of Green Bay, who became quite renowned in early Wisconsin history. He completed his ed-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

ucation by a two years' course at Milton College at Milton, Wis. His first employment was in a clerical position in the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, the predecessor of the present First National Bank of Milwaukee. He served in this capacity but a little over a year, however, resigning in 1857 to accept a position with the old Mil- waukee & Mississippi Railway Company with which his father was connected. His duties sent him to Prairie du Chien, and he was cashier of the local office of the company there for a year. On sev- ering this connection he accepted the cashiership of the Bank of Prairie du Chien. In 1866 he returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the grain commission business, becoming a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce. Until 1882 he was continuously engaged in this business, both in Milwaukee and Chicago, but ill health necessi- tated his retirement from active participation in it. He then be- came principal owner of the Milwaukee Sentinel and for seventeen years was president of the company. In 1890 he was made vice- president of the National Exchange bank, and two years later suc- ceeded to the presidency of the institution, a position he held until 1900. In 1892, he was also made treasurer of the Northwestern Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, and is still a trustee of that corpo- ration. Since 1900 he has not activelyi participated in business af- fairs, spending his summers in Milwaukee and the winters in Cal- ifornia. Besides his other business interests he is a vice-president and director of the Milwaukee Coke & Gas Company. In 1863 Mr. Ray was united in marriage, in Rome, N. Y., to Miss Jennie L. Merrill. To this union were born four daughters: Lucile is the wife of Angus S. Hiver, vice-president and general manager of the Chicago Telephone Company ; Susie Dickinson is the wife of Mal- colm McCallum ; Jennie is Mrs. Wyman K. Flint ; and Clara is Mrs. Theodore D. Peck, of New York. Mr. Ray is one of the oldest members of the Chamber of Commerce, and served as vice-presi- dent in 1876 and as president in 1877 and 1878.

Robert Hill, deceased, late of 768 Cass street, Milwaukee, Wis., long known as one of the distinguished citizens of the Cream City, and a prominent merchant and financier, was descended from a sturdy line of Scotch ancestors. He was born in Edinborough, Scotland, on Jan. 18, 1841, the son of John and Agnes (Reed) Hill. His father was manager for a number of years of the Scottish Prop- erty Investment Co. at Edinborough, but in October, 1856, re- signed his position as such, and came to the United States with his family. Robert was only a lad of fifteen when he accompanied his parents to the United States in 1856. Prior to leaving the old country he had received an excellent training in a private school in Edin- borough, but he did not again have an opportunity to attend school. When he reached Milwaukee, in 1856, he was first employed by Mr. Sholes of the old "Milwaukee Free Democrat," prominent in the ante-bellum period for its anti-slavery principles, its bitter oppo- sition to the Fugitive Slave law, and its connection with the "Glov- er incident." Mr. Hill later went to Horicon, Dodge county, Wis., where he was employed as station agent for the C. M. & St. P. R. R.

BIOGRAPHIICAL

He remained here for some time and then entered the service of William Smith & Co., wholesale grocers of Chicago, as traveling salesman. He was engaged in this occupation at the outbreak of the Civil war. Like thousands of other young men of that period. he was imbued with patriotic zeal and an intense love of liberty. He promptly organized a company of volunteers at Burlington, Wis., which subsequently became Company "C", of the First Wis- consin volunteer infantry, and of which he was commissioned cap- tain. He afterwards served on the staff of Gen. Henry M. Negley, serving in the armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee, and was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1862. Captain Hill was subsequently instrumental in the organization of the Light Horse Squadron, of Milwaukee, whose armory is situated on Broad- way. In 1862, after severing his connection with the army, he went to Virginia City, Montana, where he was recorder of claims until the fall of 1865. Returning to Milwaukee in November of that vear, he became confidential clerk for the wholesale drygoods house of Sexton Bros., and upon the death of Lester Sexton, he be- came a member of the firm, then known as Storm, Hill & Co. In 1881 the company moved its headquarters to Chicago and carried on an extensive and profitable business at that point until the year 1892. Meanwhile, Mr. Hill resided with his family at Evanston, Ill. In 1892 the firm sold out its business to Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., and Mr. Hill returned once more to Milwaukee in 1804. Mr. Hill was a man of extraordinary business sagacity and indefatiga- ble industry, qualities which brought him success and rendered him a power in the business and financial world. He assisted in the or- ganization of the Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee, of which he was a director and vice-president. After some eight months of active connection with this important financial institution, he decid- ed to retire from all active business pursuits, and thereafter devoted his leisure to rest and recreation. He traveled extensively at home and abroad up to the time of his death, which took place on July 3. 1906. He was a man of large affairs, and among his other import- ant interests, was the Milwaukee Cold Storage Co., of which he was principal owner, and of which his son, John A .. has long been the active manager. As a young man Mr. Hill belonged to the Republi- can party in politics, but joined the Democratic party at the time of Cleveland's first nomination for the presidency. He was a man of too independent a character ever to be a subservient party wor- shipper, and in his political views was always guided by principles rather than by parties or men, thereby exhibiting true patriotism. His charities were of a wide and generous nature, though he dispensed them without ostentation, and his many philanthropies were seldom heralded abroad. Mr. Hill was married on June 6. 1866, to Miss Jennie A., daughter of Abram and Jane A. ( Barnard) Rorick, of Wauwatosa, Wis. They were blessed with five children. of whom four have grown to maturity, and with their mother, are still living. The children were: Robert P., who now resides in Fort Worth, Texas ; John A., manager of the Milwaukee Cold Stor-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

age Co .; Lucy, wife of James Ellis Briggs, of New York city ; Edna, who died at the tender age of five years; and George B., who is a graduate of the Agricultural Department of the University of Wis- consin, at Madison. Mr. Hill was very prominent in the Masonic Order, and was the recipient of many of its highest honors. He was also a member of the Loyal Legion and of E. B. Wolcott Post No. I, G. A. R., of Milwaukee. He was a man of broad and catholic tastes, absolutely just and honorable in all his business dealings, affable and courteous in his intercourse with others, and of clean and un- blemished private life. His reputation as a man and citizen was of the very highest, while his fine business abilities commanded the respect of all his associates.

Walter Kempster, M. D., of Milwaukee, Wis., is one of the most eminent physicians in the United States, but his record of pa- triotism during the dark days of the Civil war is no less worthy of commemoration in the annals of endeavor and achievement. He was born in London, England, May 25, 1841, son of Christopher and Charlotte (Treble) Kempster, and at an early age was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Syracuse, N. Y., about 1849. The father was a botanist and horticulurist of note, and he also gave a great deal of attention to questions relating to hu- man progress, being active in the anti-slavery movement before the war, in prison reform work, and one of the earliest promoters of the Young Men's Christian Association. The son received his prelim- inary education in the common and high schools of the city of Syracuse and then entered the Long Island College Hospital. The war clouds had gathered and the storm of fratricidal strife was upon the country before he had finished his professional course, but though he enlisted at the outbreak of hostilities he continued his studies while in the service by having chapters cut from medical books and sent to him in the field. He enlisted in April, 1861, in the Twelfth New York infantry, known as the "Onondaga Regiment," which was mustered into the United States servic for a three- months term at Elmira, N. Y., May 13, 1861. On May 29, it left for Washington and upon its arrival encamped upon Capitol hill and in the White House grounds until July Io when it was assigned to the Fourth brigade, First division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia, and marched to Chain Bridge. While camped in the White House grounds Dr. Kempster frequently saw and conversed with President Lincoln, the first interview making a lasting impres- sion. Dr. Kempster was not robust at that time, and one day while standing on the steps of the White House, talking with the Pres- ident's sons, Robert and "Tad", the great President came down the steps, put his hand on the doctor's head, turning his face up- ward, and after a few moments he said: "My boy, where did you come from? You ought not to be here ; run in the house and play with the children." The sad expression that came into President . Lincoln's face made an impression that has never been forgotten. The regiment was first under fire at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, losing thirty-two men. Dr. Kempster participated with his command

BIOGRAPHICAL

in this engagement and the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, where his regiment was on the left and not engaged until the re- pulse of the right wing, when the Fourth brigade held the Con- federates in check and prevented them from occupying Center- ville, holding that position until the panic-stricken army passed through, leaving Centerville about midnight. After the fight at Blackburn's Ford, Dr. Kempster was detailed from the 'ranks for service in the field hospital, the first of its kind in what afterward became the Army of the Potomac. Being mustered out of service in October, 1861, Dr. Kempster again enlisted in November, 1861, in the Tenth New York cavalry; the regiment bivouacked at Gettysburg during the winter of 1861-2, and became familiar with all roads about that place, which was of much use to the cavalry division at the time of the great battle here. He was appointed hospital steward and detailed to hospital duty in Balti- more, where he assisted in the organization of the Patterson Park general hospital in April, 1862. He arrived at the barracks, just vacated by a regiment of infantry, at noon. The buildings were bare and there was no furniture, not even a stove. Without pre- vious notice, about 3 p. m., an ambulance train arrived with 300 wounded men from field hospitals. There was no food, not even straw for the men to lie on, and no blankets ; but before 8 p. m. that night a warm meal had been prepared, every man had straw to lie on and a blanket to cover him, and the most seriously wounded had been made fairly comfortable. Young Kempster was enabled to se- cure this remarkable result through the assistance of Surgeon Josiah Simpson, U. S. Army, medical director of the Department of the East, who recognized the effort being made by Dr. Kempster and set aside the usual "red tape." adjusting the requisitions after- wards. In a few days the hospital was in good condition and shortly ranked with the best in the army. At his own request, Dr. Kempster was relieved from this duty in January, 1863, and rejoined his regiment in the field, participating with it in the Stoneman raid of the Chancellorsville campaign. The regiment is enumerated by Col. Fox as one of the 300 fighting regiments of the war, and it served with the First brigade, Third division of the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac from February to June, 1863, when it was assigned to the Third brigade of the Second division, in which division it served until the close of the war. The regiment was in thirty-one pitched battles and many other engagements, be- side almost continual skirmishing, from 1863 to the close of the war. Its hardest fighting was at Hawes' Shop and Brandy Station, but it bore a conspicuous part at Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville, Gettys- burg (in the terrific cavalry fight on the right flank, where Stuart's cavalry was driven from the field during Pickett's celebrated charge), at Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe Station, Catlett's Sta- tion, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Yellow Tavern ( where the Con- federate Gen. J. E. B. Stuart was mortally wounded), Hawes' Shop, Trevilian Station, St. Mary's Church, Reams' Station. Boydton Plank Road, and so on to the close of the war at Appomatox. On

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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 3

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