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 32
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Henry J. Steinman, of 258 Eleventh street, Milwaukee, was born in that city July 14, 1847, and is the son of Albert Henry and Mar- garet (Dunker) Steinman, natives of Westphalia, Germany, the former born in 1816 and the latter in 1824. The father served his required time in the Prussian army and came to the United States in 1844 and settled in Milwaukee, there following his business of contractor, and was also in the grocery business, being very suc- cessful in both lines. He served as alderman from the'Ninth ward for two terms and retired from business and active life at the age of seventy years. Henry J. was educated in'the public and private and parochial German Lutheran schools. His first employment was in a worsted factory, and he went from that position to the firm of Rice '& Friedman, wholesale notion dealers, where he served as bookkeeper. Later he formed a partnership with Fred Schroeder, and was engaged in the lumbering business from 1872 until 1874, when he started in business alone. In 1892 the business was'incor- porated, and Mr. Steinman was elected president, a position which he still holds. In politics he is a Democrat, and'has been actively interested in local affairs. He has served as alderman from the Sec- ond ward for two terms, from 1885 to 1890, 'inclusive; was city treasurer two terms, 1890-1894, and commissioner of public debt two terms, 1898-1904. In October, 1875, Mr. Steinman was united in marriage to Miss' Johanna Manegold, daughter of William Mane- gold, of Milwaukee. The children in the order of their ages are : Alfred H., Amanda, Carl U., Edward R., Martha, Johanna and Henry J. Three of the sons-Alfred, 'Carl and Henry-are asso- ciated in business with their father, the firm being one of the large and reliable business corporations of the city.
Patrick William Purtelle, deceased, was a native of Ireland, born in 1847. He came to America at an early age, finding his first home in Canada, subsequently removing to New 'York, where he was engaged in business with bridge-building contractors. At the age of thirty-six he decided to come west, and located in Milwau- kee. where he followed the same occupation of bridge-building for many years, latterly taking work as a contractor, and erecting bridges for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was con- nected with this corporation at the time of his death, which oc- curred on Dec. 19, 1890. in the prime of his life, being at that time still under fifty years of age. He is 'buried in the Calvary Ceme- tery, Milwaukee. Mr. Purtelle was a member of the Catholic church, and in his political support was independent of party lines, giving his vote to men and measures as they made an appeal to his- conscience and judgment. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and the supervisor of difficult and important work, and in both his business and social relations was held in high esteem. On Feb. 16, 1874, he was married to Miss Angeline Otterol, daughter of Peter Francis and Mary (Le Clare) Otterol, of St. Louis, Mo. To this union were born five children, three boys and two girls, the youngest, Florence, being the only one of the five now at home. She is a teacher in the Milwaukee city schools, Twenty-first dis- trict.
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Gustav Scharff, deceased, was born in Germany, Feb. 22, 1832, and was the son of Johann Justin and Gertrude ( Halbach ) Scharff, the former a native of Frankfort, Germany, born March 31, 1786, and the latter born in Mugston, Germany, on Nov. 17, 1794. On the paternal side of the family the records can be traced back to the fifteenth century, the family being a prominent one. Johann Scharff was a leading business man of the city of Frankfort, very public spirited and taking great interest in all civic affairs. Gustav was one of a large family and received an excellent education in his na- tive country, being the master of several languages. He came to the United States when a young man and located in New York city, where'he was employed as a bookkeeper for a large firm for a num- ber of years. Finally determining to come west, he located in Mil- waukee, where he followed his profession of bookkeeping for some time, being engaged by some of the leading business firms in the city. Subsequently he determined to go into business for himself, embarking 'in the wholesale liquor trade, but he was compelled to abandon this enterprise on account of ill health. For some time fol- lowing this he was employed as a clerk in the water department of the city, but was obliged to'give up this work also on account of ill- ness. Subsequently he removed to Burlington, Wis., where he died Sept. 7, 1895. In politics he was a Democrat, but was not specially active in political'affairs. In his religious belief he was liberal. He possessed the national characteristic of a love for music, and was a member of the Musical Society of Milwaukee. On June 27, 1863, he was united in marriage to Agnes, daughter of Laurence and Kath- erine (Borgenheimer) Simon, of Germany, and the four children born to them were Nicholas, Gustav, Justus and Clara, of whom the two latter are living. The family home is now in Milwaukee.
John Alfred Dadd (deceased), one of the pioneer residents of Milwaukee, and one of the best known and most successful drug- gists in the city, was born in the borough of Chatham, England, some thirty miles southeast of London, on May 24, 1829, and was the youngest of a large family of nine children. Both of his par- ents, Robert and Sophia (Oakes) Dadd, were natives of England, and his father was a prosperous druggist in the city of London. John A. was placed as a youth in the private academy of Dr. Cham- bers, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age. He then started with one of his brothers in the drug business, which he thor- oughly mastered. When he was twenty-one years of age he came to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, where he was first employed in the drug store of Mr. Hatch, and afterwards in that of Mr. Fess. A number of years later he formed a partnership with a Mr. Harrington and the firm did a prosperous drug business on East Water street for a number of years. He finally established himself on Grand avenue, where he built up a flourishing trade, and where he continued in business up to the time of his death, March 3. 1895. His remains now rest in Forest Home cemetery. Mr. Dadd was allied all his life with the Democratic party in politics, though he was never an aspirant for public office. He was a faithful mem-
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ber of the Episcopal church, and an attendant on St. James church, Grand avenue. He was a prominent member of the Old Settlers' Club, whose meetings he greatly enjoyed, and in whose work he al- ways took an active interest. He was married a few years after his arrival in Milwaukee, the ceremony taking place on Oct. 4, 1856. His wife was Mary Ann Morrow, a daughter of John and Sarah (Shaw) Morrow, of Milwaukee. Their only son, Robert Marion, is now conducting his late father's business at 135-137 Grand avenue under the firm name and style of John Dadd & Son, and the widow makes her home at No. 1212 State street. Mr. Dadd was a man of remarkably strong personality, and an expert in his profession. He attained to his prominence in the drug business by a thorough mas- tery of its details, and the exercise of shrewd business judgment. He was a man of the strictest integrity, courteous and affable in his intercourse with others, and an indefatigable worker. He was de- voted to his profession, whose interests he sought to advance in every legitimate manner. Broad-minded and liberal in his views, he sought not alone his personal advantage, but labored enthusias- tically to place the profession on the highest possible plane. To this end he did all in his power to give to those who would enter it a thorough and scientific training. He was the prime mover in bringing about the establishment of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin, and took an active interest in its develop- ment up to his death. He frequently lectured before the students, with whom he was a great favorite, and by whom his scholarly and scientific views were much appreciated. Mr. Dadd also took a warm interest in civic affairs, and could always be counted upon to lend his support to every worthy cause which would advance the interests of Milwaukee.
Greenleaf Dudley Norris (deceased), one of the early pioneers of Milwaukee, where he was a prosperous ship chandler for many years, was born at Boston, Mass., on March 19, 1822. He was the second oldest in a family of five children, three boys and two girls. His parents, Shepherd Haynes and Elizabeth '(Sewell) Norris, were both natives of the state of Maine. The elder Mr. Norris was a successful wholesale drygoods merchant in Boston for many years, and in 1853 came west to Milwaukee, where he lived a retired life up to the time of his death. Greenleaf D. attended the common schools of Boston and afterwards received an excellent classical training in the Latin schools. Upon leaving school he entered busi- ness with his father for a number of years. In the year 1845 he came west to the young city of Chicago, where he received the ap- pointment of superintendent of construction of a large vessel then building for the firm of Payson & Robb. He did not remain in Chi- cago very long, however, but was attracted by Milwaukee and de- cided to make that young and flourishing city his future home. Upon his arrival in Milwaukee he embarked in the ship-chandlery business, a venture which proved highly successful. He built up a large and flourishing trade by the exercise of steady industry, and the employment of an unusual amount of business acumen. His
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premature death, which occurred on Oct. 19, 1869, was the result of an unfortunate accident at his own home. After his decease his widow conducted his business with success for a number of years, and then sold out her interests to the Joys Bros., ship chandlers. Mr. Norris was a Republican in politics after the formation of that party, though he was never an aspirant for public office. He was liberal in his religious convictions and was affiliated with the Uni- tarian denomination. Outside of his business his home and family absorbed most of his time and attention. He was a most devoted husband and father, and he took great delight in entertaining his many friends under his own hospitable roof. With his strong do- mestic tastes it is not strange that he never felt the need of the artificial ties of society and club. In his wife, formerly Miss Alice Brazee Brooks, of Princeton, Mass., to whom he was married on May 16, 1848, he found a most congenial companion and helpmate. Her parents, John and Sarah (Brazee) Brooks, were among the most prominent residents of Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. Norris were born six children, of whom all but one are now living : Charles WV., born July 15, 1849; Alice B., born Sept. 12, 1852; Elizabeth, born July 23, 1854, died March 20, 1884; Julia, born Feb. 20, 1857 ; Henry, born in 1859, and died in infancy ; and George Henry, born Oct. 2, 1861, who is now the president of the Wisconsin Iron and Wire Works, and with whom the widow now makes her home at his residence, 566 Vanburen street, Milwaukee.
Philip Hartig (deceased), for many years one of the well- known German-American business men of Milwaukee, was born in the town of Miltenberg, Germany, on June 14, 1826. He was edu- cated in the schools of his native town and at Wurtzburg, and served in the German army six years as a private and three years as an officer. After serving his full term in the army he entered into business with his father as a boat-builder for a number of years. When he was thirty years of age he came to the United States and settled in Milwaukee, where he was first employed by the Schlitz Brewing Co. Later he started in business on his own account, which he carried on for a number of years, and then moved to Wi- nona, Minn. Here he embarked in the grocery business and con- (lucted the same successfully for several years. He then returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the lumber business on the South Side with Joseph Ammen for a partner. After a time he sold out his interest in the lumber business and formed a partnership with Peter Endres in the saloon business. He retired at least ten years before his death, which took place on March 24, 1893. Politically he was always allied with the Democratic party, but was never an aspirant for public honors, being content to perform his full duty as a private citizen. He was born and bred in the Catholic faith. He was most happily married on Nov. 10, 1860, to Miss Charlotte, daughter of John and Susan Schwieder, residents of Woodland, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hartig had only one child, a daughter, who died in infancy. The widow still survives her husband and makes her home in Mil- waukee.
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George Poppert (deceased), late of No. 2715 State street, Mil- waukee, Wis., and for many years a prosperous and successful man- ufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc., was born in Germany, March 13, 1840. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth Poppert, both natives of Germany, came to the United States in 1850 with their family of five boys. Coming directly to the city of Milwaukee, the elder Mr. Poppert embarked in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc., and built up a flourishing business, which he conducted until his retirement from active business life in 1866. George attended school in his native land before coming to America with his parents and after his arrival in Milwaukee attended a grammar school on the East Side for a number of years. Upon leaving school he was taken into the business with his father, and upon the retirement of the latter in 1866 he bought a controlling interest in the factory. Under his able and skillful management the enterprise grew to large proportions and became one of the most important and profit- able industries of its kind in the city, being known as the George Poppert Manufacturing Co. In addition to the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds he turned out all kinds of hardwood finish. He retained the controlling interest in the business up to the time of his death, which occurred at Milwaukee, March 1, 1907. He was highly respected as a business man and citizen and contributed in large measure to the material upbuilding of the city in which the whole of his mature life was spent. In politics he was allied with the Democratic party and a man of considerable prominence in the coun- cils of that organization. He represented his assembly district in the Wisconsin State Legislature from 1885 to 1887, and was an able and representative member of that body. He was a lifelong adherent of the Lutheran faith, and one of the stanch supporters of the Ger- man Lutheran church in Milwaukee. As an old resident of the city he took great interest in the Old Settlers' Club of the East Side. of which he was a member, and he was also prominently identified with the Liedertafel musical organization. Mr. Poppert was twice married and was the father of seven children by his first wife. His second marriage took place on May 8, 1892, to Miss Anna Pickel, daughter of Conrad and Margaret (Bassel) Pickel, prominent resi- dents of Milwaukee. One daughter was the fruit of this union, who makes her home with her widowed mother at the residence at 2715 State street. Mr. Poppert was a kind and indulgent husband and father, who ever found his chief comfort and solace within the lim- its of the home circle. His loss was not only a severe blow to his immediate family, but he is sincerely mourned by a large number of intimate friends and business associates. He represents a type of the best American citizenship, successful in his business undertak- ings, clean and pure in his private life and a high-minded and loyal public citizen.
George M. Conway, expert consulting mechanical engineer, Milwaukee, Wis., was born in the little New England town of Shrewsbury, Rutland county, Vt., on Oct. 29, 1834, the son of Mich- ael and Julia (Toomy) Conway, natives of the same state. His
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father was for some time superintendent of a copperas mine, and afterwards followed the vocation of a gardener. George M., who is one of a family of three boys and two girls, had only a limited opportunity to obtain an education in his youth, as he was early sent out into the world to make his own livelihood. However, he attended school for some time in the town of Lawrence, Mass., and when a mere lad was employed as a clerk in the drygoods store of A. W. Sterns. At the age of thirteen he went into the Essex ma- chine shops, and from this time on until he became of age he was employed in many of the largest machine shops in the East, includ- ing those at Boston and Providence. In 1854 he came west to San- dusky, Ohio, where he became an engineer for the Mad River rail- road, and from this time on for nearly twenty years he was engaged in railroad engineering work in Ohio, Vermont, at St. Louis, Mo., where he was with the Missouri Pacific; at Memphis, Tenn., with the Memphis & Charleston and Mississippi & Tennessee roads. Mr. Conway finally came to Milwaukee, May 15, 1861, and there be- came an engineer on the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien railroad ; he later assisted in the construction of the line between Milwaukee and Brookfield, and between Columbus and Portage; in 1866 in the capacity of master mechanic, he was superintendent of all the engi- neers and engines on his divisions. He has displayed inventive ca- pacity of a high order, and in 1873 invented various types of en- gines ; in 1884 one of his most practical inventions was turned out, the steam pump; in 1888 he built a condenser after his own ideas for one R. G. Peters, of Manistee, Mich., which was capable of turn- ing out 2,000 barrels of salt daily ; in 1889 he built a 500 H. P. en- gine at Sturgeon Bay, and built a compressor and hoisting plant for the Minnesota Iron Co. at their mines at Tower, Minn ; in 1890 he was employed by the E. P. Allis Co. as an expert consulting engi- neer ; and since that time he has served as consulting engineer for a number of the largest manufacturing concerns in the United States. He is an enthusiast in his profession, and he is known as one of the ablest and most successful mechanical engineers in the country. He has always been an ardent Republican in his political belief, and supports the principles and policies of that party consistently and regularly, and without thought of any personal advantage, as he has never sought public preferment. His religious views are broad- minded and liberal, and embrace a wide charity toward men of every religious faith. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Old Settlers' Club of Milwaukee, and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Conway was united in marriage Feb. 3. 1863, to Miss Clara Smith, daughter of William B. and Eleanor ( Kelly) Smith, of Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Conway have no children. They reside at No. 27 Belvedere.
Curtis Addison Comstock, of No. 254 Twenty-eighth street, Milwaukee, manager of the Postal Telegraph Cable Co., was born in the city of Adrian. Mich., on Aug. 3, 1872, the son of Charles H. and Myra L. (Curtis) Comstock, the former a native of Adrian, Mich., and the latter a native of Pawlet, Rutland county, Vt. His
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father is now an expert accountant for the Paine Lumber Co., of Oshkosh. Wis. Curtis A. is one of a family of three brothers and received his education in the public schools of his native city, later graduating at the high school there. He was first associated with his father for a time in a chair factory at Oshkosh, and meantime studied and mastered the art of telegraphy. He was manager of the telegraph office at Appleton, Wis., for a while, and then came to Milwaukee and assumed charge of the district branch of the Postal Telegraph Co. He has been identified with that corporation ever since. He was next appointed cashier in the Milwaukee office, and subsquently served as chief operator ; was sent as manager to El Paso, Tex., for a time, and returning once more to Milwaukee, was made first assistant manager and in 1905 manager of the Mil- waukee office. He is exceedingly popular both with the company and with his fellow employes, and under his efficient supervision the business of the company has assumed enormous proportions, and is handled with accuracy and skill. Mr. Comstock has always been affiliated with the Republican party in politics, and is a firm be- liever in the principles of that organization, but has never sought or held public office. He is a member of the Congregational church, to which he renders a hearty and liberal support. He belongs to the Masonic Order, and is also a member of the Michigan Associa- tion of Milwaukee. He was married on Sept. 1, 1902, to Miss Har- riet, daughter of Wilbur F. and Zelma ( Martin) Perrine, of Osh- kosh, Wis., and they are the parents of one son and one daughter: Clinton S., born Jan. 1, 1905, and Josephine R., born July 25, 1906. Mr. Comstock is a most devoted father and husband, and derives his chief happiness within the precincts of his home. His abilities in his special field of effort are sufficiently attested by the rapid ad- vancement he has made with his company.
Charles J. Conohan, proprietor of the successful Lakeside Liv- ery, at No. 378 Brady street, Milwaukee, was born in the village of Westport, Dane county, Wis., Jan. 16, 1868. He is of pure Irish descent, his parents, John and Bridget (Boylan) Conohan, being both natives of Ireland. His father followed his trade of brick- layer before leaving the old country, and came to the United States when Wisconsin was still a territory, settling on a farm in West- port, Wis. Here he spent the remainder of his days and died in the year 1879. He was a highly respected member of the com- munity in which he lived so many years, and reared a large family of nine children. Charles J. was given only a limited opportunity to obtain an education, as he was early thrown upon his own re- sources. He attended school at Westport until he was twelve years of age, and later worked as a farm hand for Patrick O'Malley near his own home. Some time afterward he went west to North Dakota, and was there employed on a farm belonging to a Mr. Gid- dings. He finally abandoned farm work altogether and moved to Milwaukee, where he immediately became identified with the livery business, which line of business has engaged his attention ever since. In 1902 he embarked in business on his own account at 378
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Brady street, and the venture has proved a highly lucrative one. He is a good business man, a hard worker, and his establishment is an up-to-date one in every particular. Mr. Conohan has always been a thorough-going Democrat in his political convictions, and lends his earnest support in advancing the interests of his party, asking no favors on his own account. He was born and bred in the Roman Catholic faith, and is a generous and zealous supporter of his church on all occasions. He is a popular member of the Catho- lic Order of Foresters, and of the Knights of Columbus. He was united in marriage Jan. 24, 1893, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas Griffen, of Delafield, Wis., and the union has proved a most happy and congenial one. Mr. Conohan has all the likable quali- ties of his race, is open-hearted and generous by nature, and pos- sesses a host of warm friends, who wish him well.
William Davis, of No. 440 Bradford avenue, chief engineer in the service of the United States government at the Federal building, Milwaukee, was born in the town of Radley, Berkshire county, England, on Dec. 24, 1859, the son of James Morris and Elizabeth (Jones) Davis, both of whom were also natives of England. His father was a farmer and died when his son was only nine years of age, in 1869. Our subject was the only boy in a family of seven children, and heavy responsibilities were thrust upon him early in life. He attended a private boarding school until he was fifteen years old, and was then placed on the farm where he learned en- gineering and carpentry, in addition to general farm work. When he was twenty-eight years of age, in 1887, he came over to the Unit- ed States, and first located on a western farm in Lincoln county, S. D. Two years later he came to Milwaukee and took up work as an engineer. He was employed as an engineer for three years on the Great Lakes by the Wolf & Davidson Steamship Co., and al- so worked as a bridgebuilder for the Wisconsin Bridge Co. He was next appointed third assistant engineer at the City Hall, Mil- waukee, and subsequently served as first assistant engineer at the City Library building. In 1903 he was appointed chief engineer in the department of commerce and labor at Washington, D. C., and three years later was transferred to the city of Milwaukee as chief engineer in the Federal building. Mr. Davis has always been a faith- ful supporter of the Republican party in politics, and is an earnest member of the Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic Order, and is a member of the National Association of Stationary Engineers. He is thoroughly efficient and competent in his special line of work. a man of sober and upright habits, and commands the entire respect of all with whom he is associated. He was married on June 20, 1900, to Florence May, daughter of Robert and Jane Brovington. of England, and three children have been born to them : William B., born in 1902: Morris R., born in 1904; and Elizabeth May, born in 1905.
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