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 31
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and Sophia (Lembke) Niemann, of Milwaukee, both of whom are natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Borgwardt have an interesting family of five children living: Clara, wife of Reinholdt Raedisch ; George F. ; Fred C .; Elsie, and Ervin.
Herman Huebner, a successful general contractor, has been established in business in Milwaukee since 1892, and since 1897 has been located at 187 Biddle street, where he takes contracts for the erection of buildings of all kinds and also furnishes cabinet work, office fixtures, etc. He is the son of John and Hannah ( Lemphol) Huebner, of Mollan, Germany, who came to America in 1880 and made their home in Racine. Two years later they removed to Mil- waukee and there made their permanent home. Herman Huebner was born in Mollan, Feb. 23, 1861, and came to Wisconsin with his parents. He attended the public schools in his native town and al- so served an apprenticeship there at the carpenter's trade. He completed the same in Germany and upon his arrival in Wisconsin was employed as a journeyman for several years. In 1892 he engaged in his present business as contractor and builder, in which he has since continued with marked success. He has built many hand- some residences and substantial business blocks in Milwaukee and has a well-earned reputation for honest and careful workmanship. His shop supplies many of the largest business houses in Milwau- kee with their decorative wood-work, fixtures, etc. On Aug. 11, 1898, Mr. Huebner was married to Miss Rosetta Busack, of Milwaukee, daughter of Carl Busack, a prominent contractor, who was identi- fied with the building of the immense plants of the Schlitz and Pabst Brewing companies. Mr. Huebner's home has been made happy by the presence of two charming children, Carl and Alma. The family are adherents of the German Lutheran church.
John Czerwinski has been successfully engaged in undertaking and embalming in Milwaukee for some years. He is a native of Tlukon, Poland, son of Stanislaus and Magdalen ( Przevozniak) Czerwinski, who emigrated from Poland to the United States in 1868 and made Milwaukee their permanent home, passing the re- mainder of their lives in that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanislaus Czerwinski were born four sons, John, Anthony, Roman (deceas- ed) and Joseph. John was born Aug. 10, 1853, attended school in his native town in Poland and also in Milwaukee after the removal of the family to America. After leaving school he was first employed by a farmer as his assistant and from the farm went into a furniture factory, where he was employed in various capacities seventeen years. In 1885 he established himself in the furniture business at 401 Mitchell street and also practiced under- taking. In the latter business he was greatly interested and stud- ied it constantly. After graduating from several schools of em- balming and obtaining considerable experience in the same line, Mr. Czerwinski sold his furniture business and has devoted himself exclusively to undertaking and embalming since 1899. In this busi- ness he has become prominent and in order to respond to the rap- idly increasing number of calls upon his time, he has associated
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with him his son John, also an embalmer of skill and experience. Mr. Czerwinski was married in 1873 to Miss Michalina Brzonkala, also a native of Poland, daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Smolarek) Brzonkala. Five children have blessed their home; Annie, wife of Casimir Celichowski; Martin ; John Jr .; Francis and Amanda. Martin is the proprietor of the livery barn at 650 4th avenue, where he carries on an extensive business. John, Jr., has also devoted considerable attention to the study of modern scientific methods of embalming and is a valuable assistant to his father in that work. Francis is a priest of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Czerwinski is a member of the Polish National Alliance of America and the Polish Association of America, also of the Knights of St. Martin, U. R., the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and other Roman Catholic societies. In political sympathies he is a staunch Demo- crat and as such has been elected supervisor from the Twelth ward, which office he has held twelve years. He also served two years as coroner for Milwaukee county, to which office he was elected by the labor party.
Lester A. Carpenter, proprietor of the undertaking establish- ment at 677 Greenfield avenue, Milwaukee, is an experienced and well-known funeral director and embalmer. He has been estab- lished in business on Greenfield avenue since October, 1901, and has met with marked success in his chosen calling. He is the son of Warren and Rebecca (Allen) Carpenter, both of whom were born in New York State. Warren Carpenter was a native of Westches- ter county, N. Y., and came west when he was eighteen years of age. He found employment as a carpenter in Milwaukee and remained there seven years. During this time he met and married Miss Allen and together they returned to New York where they resided for a number of years. A family of eight children gathered around their hospitable hearth, all of whom are living. They bear the fol- lowing names: George, Lester A., Gillbert H., Sherman W., Elisha J .. William A., Edith G., and Deal. In his later years Mr. Car- penter joined his son in Milwaukee, where he died in 1891, aged sixty-one years. Lester A. Carpenter, the subject of this sketch, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., March 10, 1861, and resid- ed there with his parents until 1881. He was educated in the pub- lic schools and assisted his father in his work until he came to Milwaukee. He immediately found employment and became per- manently located with the Rich Shoe Co., with which firm he re- mained for fifteen years. Being energetic and ambitious, he was not contented to spend his entire life working for others and there- fore made a study of embalming in his spare moments and soon became proficient. He attended the U. S. School of Embalming in Chicago and was graduated in 1901. He preferred Milwaukee as a residence and returned to that city immediately upon the com- pletion of his course of study. His business has grown rapidly and his services are in constant demand. March 31, 1896, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Frederika Wendt, daughter of Charles and Mary ( Bartels) Wendt, of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Wendt came
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to America from Germany and have made their home in Milwaukee for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have one daughter, Alice, who is attending school in Milwaukee. Mrs. Carpenter and daugh- ter attend the Zion Evangelical church, but Mr. Carpenter is a mem- ber of the South Baptist church. He is also a member of the Royal League, E. P. Allis Council, No. 140.
Edward Gruendler, a prominent carpenter-contractor of Mil- waukee, doing business under the firm name of George Gruendler Sons, at No. 481 Broadway, one of the old, reliable business firms of the city, is a native product of Milwaukee, born March 6, 1871. He is the son of George and Barbara (Claus) Gruendler. His fa- ther. who was one of the early pioneer settlers of Milwaukee, was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, born Jan. 10. 1830. He was reared to manhood in his native land, and there learned the car- penter's trade, coming to the United States in the year 1851. On reaching this country he stopped for a year in Newark, N. J., but came west in 1852 and settled in Milwaukee, which was his place of residence up to the time of his death. He was employed as a joiner until 1864, and then established himself in independent busi- ness as a carpenter-contractor. He did a large and successful busi- ness up to the time of his retirement in 1902. During the period from 1892 to 1901 his oldest son, Charles F., was associated with him as a partner, and when Charles died in the latter year, his fa- ther carried on the business alone for another year. He lived a life of ease and retirement during the last four years of his life, his death taking place on March 9, 1906, at the age of 76. He was married Oct. 30, 1852, to Barbara Claus, and of their large family of twelve children seven grew to maturity: Charles F. (deceased), Mary, the wife of Chas. F. Ringer, George (deceased), Annie, wife of Felix Heiber, Herman (deceased), Edward, and Arthur (de- ceased). Mr. and Mrs. George Gruendler were able to celebrate their golden wedding in 1902, and the occasion was made one of great rejoicing, with all the numerous family and friends assembled to- gether. Our subject's mother also lived to an advanced age, her death taking place shortly after that of her husband, Oct. 4. 1906. Mr. Gruendler's business career was a long and honorable one ; he erected a considerable number of the large business blocks in Mil- waukee, as well as many of the best private residences. Edward, the subject of this sketch, received an excellent education in the public and high schools of Milwaukee, and later supplemented the same by a course at the Wilmot Business College. Upon leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade under his father's instruc- tion, and ever since 1902 he has carried on the business of George Gruendler Sons. Under his management the old firm has con- tinned to prosper and is meeting with its full share of the public patronage. His marriage took place an June 24, 1896, to Miss Louisa, a daughter of .Peter and Anna Schaffner, of Milwaukee. One daughter. Evelyn A., has been born to them. He is a promi- nent member of the Milwaukee Turnverein, of which organization he is treasurer.
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James T. Brett, the well known funeral director and embalmer at 313 Reed street, Milwaukee, where he has been engaged in success- ful business for a period of over thirty years, is a native of Man- chester, England, born Dec. 13, 1845. He became an orphan when less than two years of age. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Hodson) Brett. sailed from England en route to America in 1847, and the father became ill and died at sea during the voyage. The widow and her four small children came west and settled at Mil- waukee, where our subject grew to: manhood, and where he has ever since made his home. He received a good elementary educa- tion in the First Ward public school, graduating therefrom at the age of fourteen. He was engaged in various business pursuits un- til 1877, when he embarked in the undertaking business on Reed street, and has done business ever since in the same block. He has had a prosperous career, and commands the respect and confidence of the general public in a high degree. His success is due to his strict attention to the details of his business, and his uniformly honorable and upright business methods. He was married in 1866 to Mary, daughter of William and Mary Shelton, of Milwaukee, and of the six children born to them, four are now living. His mother died recently in Milwaukee at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Mrs. Brett has proved a most congenial and able helpmate to him throughout his business career. When he first engaged in the undertaking business, she acted as his lady assistant, and is the first of her sex to engage in this line of work in Milwaukee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brett are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Brett is also identified with a number of fraternal orders, such as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, and the Improved Order of Red Men. His political affiliations are with the Demo- cratic party, and he represented the Fifth Ward in the Common Council during the years 1885-7.
Dr. Charles Hillenbrand, M. D. C., veterinary surgeon and dentist, Milwaukee. Wis., was born in the village of Sun Prairie, Dane county, Wis., Sept. 30, 1883, of German parentage. He is a son of Ernest and Frances Hillenbrand, who emigrated from Ger- many to this country at an early day and are numbered among the pioneer settlers of Dane county. Our subject grew to manhood in his native town, and received his early education in the public schools of that place. In the year 1904 he took up the study of veterinary science and became a student in the Chicago Veterinary College, graduating from this institution March 29. 1907. After receiving his diploma he came to Milwaukee, where he immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession. He has met with excellent success and is rapidly building up a large and lucra- tive business. He occupies the offices of Dr. G. Dieffenderfer, for many years located at 580 First avenue, Milwaukee.
Dr. Harry H. Freed, veterinary surgeon and dentist, is a well- known and prominent member of the profession of wide experience. He was born in Bethlehem, Northampton county, Pa., Aug. 20,
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1867, and is of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. His father, Josiah Freed, married Catherine Wetzel and their home for many years was Northampton county. Dr. H. H. Freed spent his early years in Bethlehem, there attended the public schools and in the carly autumn of 1902 he entered the Chicago Veterinary College. From this institution he was graduated in March, 1905, and during that year determined to make Milwaukee the scene of his professional labors. From the commencement in 1905 of his veterinary prac- tice Dr. Freed has shown great skill and has met with marked suc- cess in his treatment of the diseases of animals. He makes a spe- cialty of the cure of canine diseases. Dr. Freed is a Republican in party sympathy, but has little time for active participation in local politics.
Dr. Edwin R. Flack, veterinary surgeon, has only recently es- tablished himself in Milwaukee, but he has already succeeded in building up an excellent professional reputation, and his practice is growing at a rapid rate from day to day. He owns and operates a complete veterinary hospital at 1087 Kinnickinnic avenue, which is equipped with all the modern and up-to-date appliances of his profession. The Doctor was born in Green Lake county, Wis., Dec. 16, 1869, the son of John W. and Esther ( Bedell) Flack. His parents were also natives of Wisconsin, but are descended from good old New England stock. Our subject received his elementary school- ing in the city of Appleton, where he was reared, attending the old Ryan high school of that place, and in 1894 began the study of vet- erinary surgery at the Chicago Veterinary College, graduating from that well-known institution with the class of 1896. After engaging in successful practice in Manitowoc for a period of eleven years, he located at Milwaukee in July, 1907. Here he has met with a prompt and most flattering success, which his skill and thorough training and experience have richly deserved. No better equipped hospital exists in the city than the one maintaind by the Doctor ; it has the Professor Conking operating table. and every other convenience of a well-equipped and modern veterinary hospital. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a liberal supporter of the same in all its good works. He is also a member and vice-president of the Society of Veterinary Graduates of Wisconsin, in whose pro- ceedings he takes a lively interest, and in every way he keeps thor- oughly abreast of the latest discoveries in his chosen calling. He was united in marriage in 1897 to Miss Mayme, daughter of Ed- ward H. Rand, of Manitowoc. Wis., and two charming daughters are the fruit of this union, the Misses Lillian and Helen. The Doc- tor is a courteous and affable gentleman, of most pleasing address and makes friends readily. He is a close student of his profession and an indefatigable worker, and one can readily predict for him a brilliant and successful future.
Herman A. Guetzkow, a well-known carpenter and contractor of Third street, Milwaukee, is a native of North Greenfield. Mil- waukee county, where he was born on May 12, 1871, the son of Gottlieb S. and Matilda (Wetzel) Guetzkow. His parents were
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both born near the city of Berlin, Germany, and came to the United States about the year 1867, and settled in North Greenfield, Wis. The elder Mr. Guetzkow is a blacksmith by trade and followed that avocation in various parts of Milwaukee county for some years, and then spent about ten years in Monroe county. He returned again to Milwaukee county in 1887, and makes his home at present in the thriving town of Wauwatosa. He reared a large family of twelve children, of whom nine are still living, to-wit: Herman A .; Bertha, the wife of Max Menrath; Albert ; Henry ; Arthur; William ; Min- nie, the wife of Charles Klinger; Edward, and Frank. Our subject received a good public school education, and upon leaving school served a three years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and then worked for a period of four years as a joiner. He became a thorough master of his calling in all its fine details, a fact which will readily account for his subsequent success. In 1898 he first em- barked in business on his own account as a carpenter-contractor, but at the end of a year was offered and accepted a position as fore- man for a large firm of builders in Milwaukee, and served most ac- ceptably in this capacity for about three years. In 1902 he again established himself in independent business as a contractor and builder, and has successfully continued in this line of work up to the present time. His reputation as a builder is now well estab- lished, and his skillful handiwork is to be found in many of the best residences and flat buildings in the city of Milwaukee ; at present he is engaged in completing a contract for the erection of the treas- urer's residence at the Soldiers' Home. Mr. Guetzkow has been married and has one son named Elmer. He has always been allied with the Republican party in politics. He is an active and zealous member of the First German Baptist church, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Wisconsin Benefit Association. Mr. Guetzkow is still in the prime of early manhood, is steady and thoroughly reliable in his habits and gives every promise of reaping a prosperous future in his chosen vocation.
Adam L. Schroth, a well-known undertaker of Milwaukee, is a native of that city, son of Adam and Katie Schroth. Adam Schroth was born in Preisen, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1854. Soon after landing he proceeded westward and decided to make Milwaukee his home. Here he was married and for a number of years followed his trade of baking in his own baker's and confec- tioner's shop with much success. He continued in active business until his death in 1891, at the age of 55 years. Adam L. Schroth, subject of this sketch, was born Oct. I, 1861, attended both public and parochial schools and also the Spencerian Business College. He learned the baker's trade with his father and in 1880 entered the employ of Johnson Bros. Baking Co. as traveling salesman. In 1888 he became an undertaker, and has since continued in that busi- ness with much success. In 1881 he married Katie, daughter of Peter and Catherine Pauley, of Milwaukee, and one daughter blessed the marriage-Eleanor, wife of Otto B. Singenberger. Mr. Schroth is a member of St. Francis Roman Catholic church and of
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the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Club. He belongs to no political party, but is always alive to the best in- terests of his neighborhood.
Dr. Herman J. Schneider, M. D. C., who has been engaged for ten years in the practice of veterinary surgery in the city of Mil- waukee, was born in Pommern, Germany, March 7, 1872, the son of Ferdinand and Ernestine (Born) Schneider, natives of the same locality. His father emigrated to the United States with his fam- ily in 1874 and settled in Milwaukee, where he afterwards died. Our subject was reared in Milwaukee and received his early education at the same place. After a thorough training in the public and Lu- theran schools, he determined to prepare himself for the work of a veterinary surgeon, and to that end became a student in the Chi- cago Veterinary College in 1895, graduating two years later in 1897. He then returned to Milwaukee, where he has ever since been en- gaged in the active and successful practice of his profession. He soon acquired an excellent reputation for skill and knowledge in every branch of the profession, and his private practice has grown to large and generous proportions. In his general work he is called upon to treat almost every known form of disease in horses, dogs and cattle. The Doctor is a hard worker and a close student of his science, and deserves the success which has been accorded him. Over ten years of active practice have given him a wealth of valu- able experience, which, combined with his love for his calling and great industry, together with a special skill in diagnosis, has gained him the confidence of the general public. The Doctor was married in 1906 to a most estimable young lady of Fillmore, Wis., and the union has proved a most happy and congenial one in every way.
Dr. Edward M. Sullivan, M. D. C., who owns and operates the large veterinary hospital at 87-89 Sixth street, Milwaukee, Wis., is a native of the Cream City, where he has made his home all his life. He was born on March 25, 1882, the son of Dennis and Ellen (Welsh) Sullivan, both of whom are also natives of Wisconsin. His father is one of the pioneers of Milwaukee, where he has been a lifelong resident, and where for the last twenty-eight years he has been engaged in detective work. Dr. Sullivan received his early education in the Catholic parochial schools of Milwaukee and sup- plemented the same by a course in the McDonald Business College of the city. In 1903, when he was twenty-one years of age, he en- tered upon the work of his chosen profession and became a student of veterinary science at the Chicago Veterinary College of Chicago, Ill., and was graduatd from this well-known institution with the class of 1905. Immediately thereafter he entered upon the active practice of his profession and was associated in practice for a period of six months with Dr. H. B. Clute in Milwaukee. He then dis- posed of his interest in the partnership, and established himself in independent practice. He met with a prompt and most flattering success, and his practice has now grown to large proportions, vield- ing him a lucrative income from the same. His hospital on Sixth
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street is the largest in the city and is well equipped with all the modern conveniences and appliances for the care and treatment of horses and dogs. The doctor is still a young man, but he has gained the confidence of the public, and he has demonstrated on many occasions his thorough mastery of his profession. His meth- ods are thorough and up-to-date, and he is possessed of the expert knowledge and skill which are bound to bring success. He was born and bred in the Catholic faith and has always been a zealous son of the church, and he is a member of the Pere Marquette Coun- cil of the Knights of Columbus of Milwauke .. He is a pleasant and courteous gentleman to meet, and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who wish him well in his chosen field of endeavor.
Joseph Van Wormer, deceased, was born in Ellisburg, Jeffer- son county, N. Y., on Aug. 8, 1820. His parents were Abraham and Carrie (Phillamore) Van Wormer, the former a native of the same place as his son Joseph. His early education was obtained in the country schools. On reaching his majority he learned the mason's trade, which he followed all the rest of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Van Wormer were born seven children, of whom Joseph was the oldest. He also acquired his education in the public schools and after his school days were ended learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time. He was, however, fond of country life, and its comparative freedom and independence appealed to him, and quitting his trade, he took up the vocation of farming, which he carried on for several years. In 1866 he decided'to come West, and located in New Lisbon, Juneau county, Wis., where he re- sumed his trade as a carpenter, remaining there a number of years. Subsequently he moved to Milwaukee, and was employed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, being connected with this corporation until the time of his death in 1883. He was an indus- trious and conscientious man and held in high esteem by his friends. He is interred in the Forest Home Cemetery. In politics he was a supporter of the Republican party, and during his residence in New York was sheriff of Jefferson county, and collector for the town'in which he resided. After coming west he was not active in politics. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, of wlrich he was an earnest member. On July 17, 1853, he married Miss Rosalie Van Wormer, daughter of Henry and 'Betsey (Kel- sey ) Van Wormer, of Ellisburg, N. Y., and three children were born to them, namely: Ruth, Edith and Joseph H. Mrs. Van Wormer is'a woman of unusual force of character and business ability. At the time of locating in Milwaukee she opened and conducted a large hotel on the corner of Third and Sycamore streets. It was called the Van Wormer House, and she carried 'it on and conducted all the necessary business in connection with it for fifteen years, mak- ing it a marked success financially and otherwise. She is now resid- ing with 'her daughter, Mrs. Edith Wildish, at 2449 Cedar street, where her later years are enlivened by the society of her three grandchildren, all of whom are still residing in the paternal home.
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