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 30

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Gustav Raetz is a manufacturer of high-class carriages in Mil- waukee, whose plant, established in 1885, is located at the corner of Madison and First avenues. He is a son of John and Sophia ( Bohl) Raetz, the former a native of Baden Baden and the latter of Meck- lenburg, Germany. John Raetz emigrated to the United States about 1852 and located in Milwaukee, where he met and married Miss Sophia Bohl, whose father, John Bohl, came to Milwaukee in 1853, and was there engaged in the dairy business. John Raetz was employed in Milwaukee in several different capacities and finally established himself in the grocery business, in which he remained until his death, July 29, 1886. Of his family of ten children eight reached mature years-John, Fred (deceased ). Gustav, Henry, George, Emma, wife of Mr. Heath : William, and Ida, who is Mrs. Jolın Deinlein. Gustav, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mil- waukee, May 28, 1865, attended the public schools in Milwaukee and the German-English Academy, and was apprenticed three years to a carriage-maker. Three years he worked as a journeyman and in 1885 opened a carriage shop of his own at the corner of Madison and First avenues, where he is at present located. Mr. Raetz has won success in his business by careful attention to its details and a keen eye for possible improvements in his manufactured product. His carriages have a reputation for honest construction and he supplies a widely distributed list of patrons. Sept. 4, 1886, Mr. Raetz was married to Miss Augusta Mueller, daughter of August and Minnie (Koehnke) Mueller, who were natives of Germany and prominent pioneer settlers of Columbus, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Raetz have two children living. Charles and Lorraine. Mr. Raetz is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the South Side Turners. He is a loyal supporter of the Republican party and takes an active interest in political questions. Three terms he has served as alder- man from the Eighth ward and commenced his fourth term in the spring of 1908.

Frank Poznanski is the well-known mason contractor of 825 Eighth avenue, and succeeded to the business of his father, Anton Poznanski, who was a prominent South Side contractor. Anton Poznanski was born in Keynia, Poland, son of Andrew and Mary (Kopyblowski) Poznanski, with whom he came to the United States in 1855. The family resided in Milwaukee and later in Wausau, where Andrew died. His wife, who survived him, died at the age of seventy-eight years in Milwaukee. Anton, their son. learned the mason's trade and became a successful contracting mason in Mil- waukee. He erected many important buildings and enjoyed a repu- tation for skill and reliability. He married Miss Frances Socha, of Milwaukee, a native of Milwaukee, and daughter of Polish pioneers of that city. Mrs. Anton Poznanski is believed to be the first child of Polish parents born in Milwaukee who is living at the present time. Nine children were born to Anton Poznanski and his wife Frances: Frank, Annie, wife of George Elliott: Winnie, wife of John Smijewski: John, Anton, Stanislaus, Kate, Leo and Constan- tine. Mr. Poznanski died in Milwaukee, April 20, 1897, at the age

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of forty-five years. Frank Poznanski, the subject of this sketch, was born in Milwaukee, Oct. 9, 1877, attended both public and pa- rochial schools and Marquette College and became a mason and plasterer under the able instruction of his father. He worked with his father until the death of the latter and at that time assumed the responsibilities of the business. He has since showed himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his father's patrons and has executed numerous important contracts in a most efficient man- ner. He is prompt in attending to matters intrusted to him, and his careful work speaks for itself. In accuracy and painstaking at- tention to the details of his work Mr. Poznanski excels, and his in- tegrity is unquestioned. Nov. 29, 1902, Mr. Poznanski was married to Miss Helen Czapiewski, of Milwaukee, daughter of Joseph Czapiewski. Two charming little daughters complete the family circle, Helen and Frances. Mr. Poznanski and his family are de- vout members of St. Hyacinth Roman Catholic church, and the for- mer belongs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and the Polish American Alliance. He is a most loyal supporter of the Democrat- ic party, although his business cares leave him but little time for active participation in politics.

Joseph Jankiewicz, proprietor of the large general hardware store at 391 Rogers street, is one of the most prominent merchants on the South Side of Milwaukee. He was born March 7, 1864, in Won- growitz, Germany, son of August and Valentina (Miloston) Jan- kiewicz, who left their home in Germany for the United States in 1880 and settled in North Carolina. After one year spent in that state they traveled westward and located in Milwaukee, which was their home until their death. Their son, Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Germany in the parochial schools, and ac- companied his parents to North Carolina and Milwaukee. Upon his arrival in Milwaukee he attended night school in order to obtain a more thorough command of the English language. He was first employed as a nailer and then worked six years as a stationary en- gineer. From 1894 to 1904 he operated a grocery store and saloon on the South Side, and in 1904 engaged in the hardware business, in which he has met with marked success. He carries a large stock of hardware, including tins, paints, oils, glass, blinds, etc., and pays particular attention to all kinds of tin, copper and sheet-iron work. He is supplied with every sort of modern appliance for satisfactory work and his stock is up-to-date in every respect. He is a man of absolute integrity and merits the success which has attended him by strict attention to his business. Nov. 15, 1885, Mr. Jankiewicz was married to Miss Catherine Drechta, of Milwaukee, daughter of An- ton Drechta, who came to Milwaukee from Poland. Ten children were born to them, of whom but four are living-Annie, Mary, Au- gust and Amelia. The family are devout members of St. Josaphat Polish Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Jankiewicz belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and the Polish Alliance, Polish Sharpshooters and the South Side Army and Polish Business Men. He is a loyal adherent of the principles

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of the Democratic party and has served two years in the city coun- cil as alderman for the Twelfth ward, being a candidate for re-elec- tion in the spring of 1908. Mr. Jankiewicz takes an active interest in the affairs of his neighborhood and always responds promptly to any call made upon him in the interest of the community. He is an enterprising and progressive citizen in every respect.

Frank J. Grutza, senior member of the firm of Grutza & Co., real estate, loans and insurance, 417 Mitchell street, is one of the fore- most Polish citizens of Milwaukee. He was born in German Po- land, son of Frank and Antoinette (Haase) Grutza, who came to the United States in 1874 and lived five years in Lenox, Mass., re- moving from that city in 1879 to Milwaukee. Five children were born to Frank Grutza and his wife Antoinette: Anne, who became a nun of the Felician Order; Frank J., John J., Stanislaus, and Ve- ronica, who married Peter Mulzoff. Mrs. Grutza died in Milwau- kee and some years later Mr. Grutza married Miss Mary Lewen- dowski, also a native of Poland. Five children blessed this union : Agnes, Rose, Frances, Amanda and Bernard. After taking up his abode in Milwaukee Mr. Grutza passed the remainder of his life there and was identified with the Polish community as one of its most respected citizens. Frank J., the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 6, 1869, was brought to Massachusetts by his parents when a little lad five years of age and attended the public schools of Lenox and Milwaukee. He also attended a parochial school in Mil- waukee and Pio Nono College. He was first employed in the cigar manufacturing establishment of William Graf three and one-half years and the succeeding three years in a grocery house as clerk. Aug. 3, 1893, he was appointed deputy clerk of the municipal court and since June 20, 1907, has held the office of chief deputy. About 1893 Mr. Grutza engaged in the real' estate business on the South Side and in November, 1905, became associated with M. J. Forecki under the firm name of Frank J. Grutza & Co. The partners estab- lished themselves in offices at 417 Mitchell street and have done a flour- ishing business in real estate and loans at that location. At present the firm handles a very large and important business, employing several assistants, and has become an important factor in South Side business circles. Mr. Grutza has found time to devote to many other honorable enterprises beside his personal business, among which was the erection of the Kosciusko monument. He was one of the foremost promoters of the Kosciusko Monument Association and its financial secretary. This association received the contribu- tions for the $13,000 Thaddeus Kosciusko memorial monument, which was presented to the city of Milwaukee by the Polish citi- zens, and also superintended its erection. Mr. Grutza was master of ceremonies upon the impressive occasion of the unveiling of the monument. He is a devout member of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. He is president of the Polish-American Associa- tion and financial secretary of the Polish National Alliance, Branch No. 253, and belongs to the Harmonia Singing Society, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. In addition

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to the positions of trust already referred to Mr. Grutza is president of the Skarb Polske Mutual Loan and Building Society, one of the most important associations of the kind in the state, and financial secretary of the Kosciusko Hall Association, of which he is also a stockholder. Affiliated with the Republican party, Mr. Grutza takes an active interest in local and national issues. He has served as chairman of the Republican committee of the Fourteenth ward for ten years and is a member of the Republican county committee. Mr. Grutza places his high abilities at the service of his Polish country- men whenever desired and at the same time maintains a devoted allegiance to the land of his adoption. He was married Oct. 3, 1894, to Miss Nettie Niestatek, of Milwaukee, daughter of John and Jose- phine Niestatek, and four charming children have blessed this union-Irene, Adeline, Thaddeus and Regina.

Wladislaus S. Zaleski, a retired merchant tailor of Milwaukee, was for a number of years the head of the important tailoring house of Zaleski, which gave employment to about twenty tailors and sup- plied an extensive retail trade. He was born in Posen, Prussian Po- land, June 27, 1864, son of Victor and Martha (Schwartz) Zaleski. He attended the public schools in his native town and was gradu- ated from the high school at the age of sixteen years. He received . three years of paid instruction in tailoring and was employed two years in Dresden, where he learned cutting and gained much skill and experience in that branch of tailoring. He was employed in re- sponsible positions in the large tailoring establishments of Dresden, Warsaw, Berlin and Paris, but having a fondness for travel, decided to try his fortunes in America. He located in Ithaca, N. Y., where he was employed four years as cutter by George Griffin. In 1893 he traveled farther west and, upon reaching Milwaukee, found his services immediately in demand. Mr. Zaleski was cutter for the firm of Louis Lachmann two years, and at the end of that period established himself in business on the South Side, where his busi- ness has grown and prospered ever since. Mr. Zaleski has invested considerably in real estate in Milwaukee and some of his holdings have become very valuable. Having acquired a large property, Mr. Zaleski decided, in 1907, to leave the confining work of the store and therefore disposed of his interests in that business. He now gives his entire attention to the management and improvement of his holdings. Having been an active supporter of the Republican party since his naturalization, Mr. Zaleski was prevailed upon by his many friends to accept the nomination on that ticket for city treas- urer in 1908. He has the best interests of the city at heart and is ready at all times to render active support to projects which have civic improvement for their aim. In 1896 Mr. Zaleski was married to Miss Matilda Puinger, of Milwaukee. Mr. Zaleski is a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. He also belongs to the Polish National Alliance, the Polish-American Society, the Polish Turners' Society, the Pol- ish Singing Society, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and others.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Judge Louis M. Kotecki is a rising young man of Milwaukee and justice of the peace in the Tenth district. Ile is of Polish origin, son of Albert and Barbara Kotecki, who emigrated from Poland in 1873 and made their home in Chicago. Albert Kotecki was a suc- cessful tailor and was engaged in this occupation for some years in Chicago. In 1884 he removed with his family to Milwaukee, where he was engaged in the same business until 1903, when he retired from active business life to enjoy the fruits of his labors. Six chil- dren. all of whom are living, make up his family : Frank, Louis M., Adam, Victoria. Laura and Mary. Louis M. was born in Chicago, July 8, 1880. He attended public and parochial schools in Milwau- kee and received private instruction at a Polish high school. He be- gan to carry papers for a Polish newspaper when he was a lad and at the age of fifteen years became a reporter on the staff of the same paper, the Kuryer. Soon the position of advertising agent was offered to him and later that of collector. The last two posi- tions he still retains. From 1894 to 1906 Mr. Kotecki attended the evening sessions of the Milwaukee Law School and acquired, by careful study, a knowledge of the law which has been of the great- est value to him in his career. In 1904 he was elected constable of the Tenth district, which contains three wards, the Eleventh, Twelfth and Fourteenth, and having satisfactorily filled this office, was, in 1906, nominated for justice of the peace in the same district. Mr. Kotecki is a staunch Democrat in political matters and is ac- tive in the support of his party. In the election of 1906 he was de- feated, but in August, 1907, was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of justice of the peace and has since been the incumbent of that office for the Tenth district. Mr. Kotecki is a wise and impar- tial judge and has won the confidence of his constituents to a flat- tering degree. In 1908 he was again nominated, this time to suc- ceed himself, and was elected to the office which he now holds. He has merited by close application to his duties and sincere devotion to his calling, the success which has attended him and he has every prospect of becoming very prominent in his profession. Judge Ko- tecki is a devout member of St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic church and also belongs to the Polish Turners' Society, the Polish National Alliance, the Roman Catholic Polish Association and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Henry Ziemann, a prominent building contractor of Milwau- kee, has been engaged in that business since 1897, and since 1907 at his present location. 813 First avenue, where he has a shop employing fifteen or more men. He is the son of August and Lizzie (Glocss) Ziemann, who were pioneer citizens of Milwaukee. August Zie- mann was born in Pommern, Germany, and his wife in Hesse- Darmstadt. They settled upon a farm in the outskirts of Milwau- kee and Mr. Ziemann occupied himself with farming and milling, and resided there the remainder of his life. Henry Ziemann, his son, was born in Milwaukee, Aug. 22. 1862, attended public school in Milwaukee and also a business college. He served his appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade and worked nine years as a jour-

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neyman. He then established the business in which he is at pres- ent engaged and in which he has met with flattering success. Many handsome residences and other buildings in Milwaukee and sur- roundings have been erected by Mr. Ziemann, who is a builder of the highest attainments. Among these are the residence of Fred Thetmeyer on 20th avenue, the residence of Albert Kunde on Mc- Kinley Boulevard, the apartment building belonging to Capt. John Cochran on the corner of Scott and Greenbush streets, etc. In 1889 Mr. Ziemann was married to Miss Sophia Kurtz, daughter of George and Maggie Kurtz, of Milwaukee. Two children have glad- dened their home, William and Henry. Mr. Ziemann is a member of the Ebenezer Lutheran church. He is not allied with any po- litical party, although he takes an active interest in everything which tends to promote the welfare of the city.

Frank E. Buestrin, is a native of the Cream City, and was born on Oct. 14, 1864, the son of Henry and Catharine ( Bloss) Buestrin. He is of pure German lineage, and his paternal grandfather came to America from Prussia in the year 1839 and settled in Milwaukee. (For other remarks concerning our subject's ancestry, see sketch of his father, Henry Buestrin.) He was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and in the Spencerian Business College of the same city. Upon leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1876 became associated with his father in the general con- tracting and building business. After his father's death in 1893 the business passed into the hands of his sons, Frank E., Henry F., and August H., who have since conducted it under the firm name of Henry Buestrin & Sons. Mr. Buestrin has always been affiliated in politics with the Republican party, and in the spring of 1894 a num- ber of his political friends prevailed upon him to accept the nomi- nation of alderman, to represent the Seventh ward. He was elected and earned for himself the general commendation of his associates in the council, and of his constituents, by reason of his business- like conduct of affairs and his conscientious attention to his official duties. He served as a member of the committees on schools and railroads, and was chairman of the committee on City Hall and Library. Both his public and private career have been clean, honor- able and successful; he is straightforward in all his dealings with his fellow men, and richly deserves the public recognition of his worth and standing which he has received. He has been president of the Builders' and Traders' Exchange. He was married on Nov. 21, 1893, to Miss Paula, daughter of Ferdinand and Julia (Grossen- bach) Reuter. of Milwaukee, and is the father of two children, Frank and Margaret by name.

Henry Buestrin (deceased), long known as one of Milwaukee's leading and enterprising business men, was one of the city's pio- neer builders, and did much to promote the development of the Cream City. He was born in the town of Kammin, near Stettin, Prussia. on Aug. 9, 1829, and in 1839 came to America with his par- ents, David and Anne Buestrin, settling in Milwaukee. The father owned a farm for many years on the west side of East Water street,

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and later engaged in building and contracting, a vocation he had followed in his native land. He reared a family of four daughters and one son: Frederica, wife of Gottlieb Gust; Bertha, wife of Anton Fernicke ; Emily, wife of Frank Willie ; Rosa, wife of August Poletz, and Henry, the subject of this sketch, who, at an early age, learned the carpenter's trade, and as soon as he had acquired a thorough knowledge of its details, branched out as a contractor on his own behalf. By 1860, through the exercise of great energy and pluck, he had risen into prominence, and was then known as the most capable contractor and builder in the city. Many of the beau- tiful and substantial structures of Milwaukee attest the capability of the man who erected them, and in this connection it may be truly said that much of the beauty of the city is due to the skill of Henry Buestrin in his building operations. Among the many nota- ble edifices, with the erection of which he had more or less to do. may be mentioned the following: The Immanuel Presbyterian Church ; the Pfister Block; the Philip Best Building; the North- western Insurance Building, and the Exposition Building. He su- perintended the erection of the Waterworks buildings, and was one of the early champions of the great sanitary project known as the flushing tunnel, which has done so much to improve the health conditions of the city. Mr. Buestrin was especially noted for his skill in moving and raising brick structures-some of them of vast weight-such as the Milwaukee County Bank, Treat's Hall, the Mabler & Wendt Building, and the enormous brick chimney at the Phoenix Mills, which he moved in 1880. This chimney had a base of 8 feet, was 95 feet high, and weighed 225 tons : it was raised 10 feet and moved 150 feet, which remarkable work was accomplished without the least damage to the structure, and was the first job of the kind ever attempted in America. For a few years Mr. Bues- trin was associated in business with August Kieckhefer, and later on took his sons into partnership. The sons inherited their father's ability and are worthy successors of one who did so much for the material well-being of Milwaukee. Mr. Buestrin was never active- ly interested in politics, but adhered to the principles of the Repub- lican party. He was reared a Lutheran and maintained his connec- tion with that church until his death. He was married Nov. '20, 1855, to Miss Catharine Bloss, a native of Germany, and eight chil- dren grew to maturity. Emily, wife of John E. Hutchings ; Anna, wife of August Kieckhefer; Augusta, wife of Oswald Ulbricht; Frank E .: August H. ; Henry F. ; Katharine, wife of Otto H. Hab- higger, and Lizzie. Mr. Buestrin was a member of both the Amer- ican and German Old Settlers' clubs, and was for many years an active member of the old volunteer fire department. He was a man of strict integrity, of unblemished reputation, and was honored and respected by all who knew him. He died on Feb. 21. 1893.

John S. Altstadt is a prominent funeral director and embalm- er of the South Side, having succeeded to the business of his father, with whom he was formerly associated. He is the son of John and Catherine (Ronk) Altstadt, who were natives of Germany and em-

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igrated in early life to the United States, making their home in Mil- waukee. Mr. Altstadt senior was educated in Germany and learned the carpenter's trade, becoming an expert cabinet-maker and wood-worker. He came to Milwaukee in 1865 and after working at his trade for a few years, established himself in the furniture and undertaking business on the South Side. Of his family of four chil- dren. John S., the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. He was born in Milwaukee, June 19, 1873, was educated in the Roman Catholic parochial schools of his native city, and became a valued assistant to his father in the undertaking establishment. Upon the retirement of his father in 1902, the entire responsibility of the busi- ness devolved upon John S. Altstadt and he has since successful- ly conducted it alone. He has a complete and up-to-date equipment and leaves nothing undone, which will give satisfaction to his pa- trons. Night or day he is promptly at their service. Mr. Altstadt was married Oct. 24, 1900, to Miss Hattie Lohagen, daughter of Henry F. and Mary (Haderer) Lohagen, of Milwaukee. Four chil- dren have blessed the marriage, Ralph, Marie, Aloisus and Norbert. The family are devout members of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Altstadt belongs to the St. Anthony Society, and the Family Protective Association. He is not associated with any political party but gives considerable thought to the important questions of the day and votes as he feels will be for the best in- terests of the city and state.

Fred J. Borgwardt, the senior member of the firm of Fred Borgwardt & Son, funeral directors and embalmers, was born in Germany on Nov. 1I, 1858, the son of Fred and Sophia ( Holtz- mann) Borgwardt. His parents came to the United States in 1867 when our subject was only nine years of age, and settled in Mil- waukee, where they continued to reside up to the time of their death. His father died on Nov. II, 1906, at the ripe old age of 77. Mr. Borgwardt is one of a family of five children, Elizabeth, the wife of William Nimmer, Fred, Charles, Minnie, the widow of Fred Kasten, and John F. He was reared from early youth in the city of Milwaukee, and received his education in the Lutheran parochial schools. In 1883 he embarked in the undertaking business, and has since given it his exclusive attention. He has one of the best equipped establishments in the city, including a chapel where fu- nerals may be held, and a private morgue. Since 1902 Mr. Borg- wardt has done business under the firm name and style of F. Borgwardt & Son, having taken his son George F. into partnership at that time. He is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never taken an active interest in politics, and has never sought public preferment on his own behalf. Both Mr. Borgwardt and family are earnest and zealous members of the Lutheran church, and he is an open-handed and liberal supporter of his church in all its good works. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Funer- al Directors' Association, and in every way aims to keep fully abreast of the latest developments in his line of business. He was married on May 2, 1880, to Miss Frederica, daughter of Christian

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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 30

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