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 34

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

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 34

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MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

or and finally settled down as a sheep raiser in Australia, while John went west and located as a farmer in the state of Washing- ton.

Henry Cook was born at Albany, N. Y., April 5, 1838, the son of George and Annie (Acker) Cook, both natives of Germany, who came to this country in 1833, settling at Albany, N. Y. The father was educated for the ministry but preferred the shoemaker's trade which he learned and which he followed at Albany for a great many years till his wife's death, when he went on the road as an agent, but in the sixties he retired from business and died in 1870. He had a family of ten children, all of whom are dead except the two youngest, our subject and his brother Charles. Our subject was ed- ucated in the public schools of Albany and at the academy at King- ston, N. Y. He left school at the age of fifteen to learn the carpen- ter's trade, but this he abandoned, becoming a leather currier, which he followed for several years. In 1872 he moved with his family to Milwaukee, entering the service of the Wisconsin Leather Co., re- maining there eleven years, when he went to work for the Zohrlant Leather Co. for six years, and he gave this up to engage with the C. M. & St. P. R. R. till 1899 when on account of his failing health he retired. He is now living at No. 842 Summit avenue, Mil- waukee. On April 17. 1862, he married Marie Joy, daughter of Andrew Joy and R. A. (Yekle) Joy, of Albany, N. Y., and their union has been blessed with five children, Rose A., Marie J., Amelia H., Adan G., and Iva Lelaine. Rose is a teacher in the Eighteenth Ward school, Marie and Amelia are at home ; Adam is in the lumber busi- ness at Tacoma, Wash., and Iva L. is deceased. In politics Mr. Cook is what might be called an enthusiastic Democrat, though he has never aspired to fill any political positions. In religion he is a staunch believer and worker in the new school of theological re- search known as Christian Science. Ripe in years with a record of long and faithful services in honorable if not lofty pursuits, he en- joys the evening of a life well spent, with no sad retrospections only awaiting the summons which will come when life's shadows have lengthened a little more.

Henry Jante, deceased. a building and grading contractor of Milwaukee, was born in Germany Aug. 28, 1823, the son of Henry Jante. The father was educated in Germany and spent his entire life there on a farm with the exception of a few years he spent in Milwaukee with his son Henry after the latter came to America, he being the only one of the three sons to come to this country. Henry received his education in the schools of his native village and after leaving school served as a soldier in the German army. After his term of service in the army was finished he traveled over Eu- rope for some time and finally in 1854 came to the United States. Hc located for a short time in Buffalo, N. Y .. after which he came to Milwaukee. His first employment here was driving a stage to nearby villages after which he engaged in teaming for a short time. He then entered the business of grading contractor and excavating and was active in this line of work up to 1885 when he retired. He

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had the contracts for, excavating some of the largest cellars in the city, among which were many of the large manufacturing concerns and the Milwaukee Court House. Mr. Jante died Dec. 22, 1907, and is buried in the Union Cemetery. On June 24, 1856, he married Miss Eliza Wessel, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wessel, of Mil- waukee, and this union was blessed with two children, Eliza, born June 16, 1860, and Henry, Jr., born Dec. 26, 1863. Eliza is now Mrs. Edward Gieseler and resides at the old home. She has four chil- dren, Clara, now Mrs. Alfred Goehz, Hattie, Emma and Arthur, all attending school. Henry, Jr. is married and lives on a farm near North Greenfield. He is the father of six children: Henry, who is now attending the Agricultural School of the University of Wis- consin; George; Klelia; Edward; Irving and Florence. Mr. Jante was very active in politics, being an adherent of the Republican par- ty. He represented that party in the city council as alderman from 1864 to 1870. In religion he affiliated with the German Lutheran church. Socially he belonged to the North Side Old Settlers' Club and to the Sons of Hermann.

Joseph Bearman, a well-known tailor, who conducts a prosper- ous business at 1201 Kinnickinnic avenue was born in Baden, Ger- many, Oct. 8, 1835, the son of Joseph and Regina (Dorst) Bearman. The parents were both natives of Baden, Germany, where the father was a peasant and which place he never left. He reared a family of six children, two of whom, Phillip and Joseph, came to America, the former in 1850. Joseph attended the schools of his native vil- lage until he was fourteen years of age. After leaving school he served as an apprentice in the tailor's trade for Mr. George Has. After completing his apprenticeship he traveled through Europe for nearly two years, working at his trade in the various places. In March, 1853, he came to America and located at Dunkirk, N. Y. Soon after he started west to locate his brother and soon after reaching Chicago he learned that his brother was in Louisville, Ky., whence he went to meet him. In June, 1855, he came to Mil- waukee and entered the employ of McGee & Swain and since that time Mr. Bearman has worked for all the leading manufacturers of Milwaukee. In 1864 he opened a store on Fond du Lac avenue and remained there until 1871. In that year he disposed of his business in Milwaukee and went to Manistee, Mich., and started in business but soon after getting established there he was burned out. He returned to Milwaukee and located at 1201 Kinnickinnic avenue, where he is now enjoying a very prosperous business. During all these years neither he nor his brother Phillip have ever heard a word from the family in Germany. On Sept. 13, 1857, Mr. Bearman was married to Miss Elizabeth Baltes, daughter of George Baltes, of Milwaukee, and this union has been blessed with six chil- dren, as follows: George, Edward, Alfred, Mary, Sarah and Josic. George is practicing law in Colorado; Edward is employed by the city ; Alfred is a doctor in Milwaukee, and the daughters are all married. Politically Mr. Bearman votes the Republican ticket and in religion he belongs to the German Methodist church. He has

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belonged to many societies and fraternal organizations but he has dropped them all.

William Thomas Taylor, president and treasurer of the Taylor- Button Coal Co., was born in Milwaukee, Wis., May 26, 1872, the son of William George and Catherine Elizabeth Seaman, the former of whom was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the latter in New York city. A biographical sketch of the father, William George Taylor, will be found elsewhere in this volume. William Taylor received his education in the public schools and the East Side High School of Milwaukee. After leaving school he took a position as clerk in Stark Bros.' carpet store on Wisconsin street. He remained here for a short time then went to work for the Standard Oil Co. as shipping clerk. He remained with this company for three years, then engaged for a short time as store keeper for the McIntosh Bros., railroad contractors, while they were building a railroad in Michigan. After returning to Milwaukee he entered the employ of the Coxe Bros. in the coal business and remained with them twelve years. In March, 1905, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Henry H. Button, he established himself in the wholesale and re- tail, coal, wood and coke business, offices at 162 Wisconsin street and with yards on the Port Washington Road. On Jan. 10, 1901, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Phoebe Louise Button, daughter of Henry Harrison and Elizabeth (Lyne) Button, of Mil- waukee. To this union have been born two children, William Henry Button, Dec. 16, 1902, and Elizabeth Button, born July 28, 1907. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Republican party but he is not active in politics. In religion he affiliates with the St. Paul's Episcopal church. He has been a member of various prominent clubs but has given them all up in order that he might have all his time to spend with his family.

Robert Wolf, proprietor of one of the finest green houses in Milwaukee, located at 700 Thirty-first avenue, was born in Milwau- kee, Wis., Aug. 26, 1865, the son of Theodore and Ann Wolf, both of Germany. The father was educated in Germany and came to America in the early fifties, locating in Milwaukee. He engaged in the cooperage business for a few years, then bought a small piece of land on the south side just outside of the city limits and car- ried on a general gardening business. Here he raised his family and in 1888, having accumulated a comfortable fortune, he retired from active business. He removed to 918 Greenfield avenue, where he and his beloved wife still reside. They are the parents of five children, three boys and two girls. Edward and John are both en- gaged in gardening on small farms near the old homestead and the two daughters are married. Robert received a good education in the public schools of Milwaukee. He left school at the age of eighteen and engaged with his father in the gardening business. When his father retired from the business he took the responsibili- ties of it upon himself and has increased the business from year to year until now he has one of the finest green houses in Milwaukee, equipped with all the latest heating devices. Here he raises all

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kinds of plants and flowers. He also has a very beautiful home of ten acres, where he carries on a general gardening for wholesale marketing. On May 8, 1888, Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Cora Smith, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Shields) Smith, of Milwaukee. To this union the following children have been born: Clarence, born May 6, 1889; Florence, born July 23, 1893 ; Delbert, born Jan. 1, 1896, and Clifford, born Oct. 16, 1902. They all go to school and help take care of the home. Mr. Wolf votes the Republican ticket but he is not active in politics. In his church affiliations he is lib- eral.

Martin Hilgendorf, who resides at 1330 State street, and con- ducts a general livery and boarding stable at 294 Thirteenth street, was born at Freistadt, Ozaukee county, Wis., Nov. 20, 1845, the son of Charles and Minnie (Schosser) Hilgendorf, both natives of Ger- many. The father came to America in 1833 and located at Frei- stadt, Wis. Here he bought a tract of land, upon which he car- ried on a general farming business. Here, too, he raised a family of thirteen children, ten boys and three girls. Five of the boys are living in Milwaukee. The father died on the old homestead in 1901 and the mother in 1905 and both are buried in the Freistadt ceme- tery. Martin Hilgendorf was educated in the village schools of his native county until he was fourteen years of age. At the age of fifteen he came to Milwaukee and secured employment in the crockery store of Miller & Schickell, remaining with them for two years. He then engaged with Houghton Bros. in the lumber busi- ness as foreman, and he remained with this firm for nearly five years. He then took charge of the teaming for the wholesale dry- goods firm of Goll & Frank and served them in this capacity for twenty-five years. In 1887 he established a general livery and boarding stable, which business he has conducted successfully since that time. He is also interested in the firm of Schmidt & Hilgen- dorf, undertakers. He votes the Republican ticket, but he is not active in politics. He is a member of the Lutheran church. So- cially he belongs to the West Side Old Settlers' Club, to the Mil- waukee Old Settlers' Club and to the society of his church. On May 17, 1867. he was married to Miss Johanna, daughter of Fred- erick and Caroline Block, of Freistadt, Wis. To this union have been born nine children, two of whom died in infancy, and one son, Emil, died at the age of twenty-six. The children living are: Adolph, a teamster: Hugo, living in the South: Gustave, a book- keeper for Johns Manville Co .: Paul, an electrician, and Manda and Lydia, living at home with their parents and helping their father in the livery business.

David L. Schram, one of the proprietors of Schram's Milwau- kee Livery, Undertaking and Embalming Establishment, was born at Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 8, 1865, the son of Jacob and Laura (Klaus) Schram, both natives of Prague, Bohemia. For a mention of the parents see the sketch of Julius Schram elsewhere in this vol- ume. David Schram was educated at the Second ward school in Milwaukee.

18 After finishing school he worked for Charles Lev-

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erenz for a few years in his box factory. He then entered the em- ploy of James Morgan in the dry goods business and remained with him for eight years. After severing his connection there he estab- lished a wholesale liquor store on Chestnut street and later sold that out to take an interest in the livery business with his brothers. On March 5, 1901, he was married to Miss Flora, daughter of Ig- natz and Rosa (Richtman) Polatheck, of Milwaukee, and to this union have been born two children-Gladys, born April 5, 1902, and Lucile, born July 15, 1905. In politics Mr. Schram votes the Demo- cratic ticket and in religion he is a member of the Jewish church. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum.

Samuel Jacob Schram, one of the proprietors of Schram's Liv- ery, Undertaking and Embalming Establishment, was born at Mil- waukee, Wis., Dec. 8, 1861, the son of Jacob and Laura (Klaus) Schram, both natives of Prague, Bohemia. For a mention of the parents see the sketch of Julius Schram, elsewhere in this volume. Samuel Jacob Schram received his education in the Second ward school of Milwaukee. At the age of fourteen he entered the box factory of Charles Leverenz and worked here for three years. He then entered the employ of the Joseph Moffett Co. and learned the marble cutter's trade. A few years later he went to Nebraska and located at O'Neil, where he conducted a general merchandise busi- ness. He returned to Milwaukee six years later and opened a gro- cery store on the corner of Sixth and Walnut streets. One year later he disposed of this business and entered the livery business with his two brothers. He took up the study of embalming and in 1898 received a certificate from the Clark's School of Embalming and he established himself as an undertaker in connection with his brothers' livery business. He has met with great success along this line and the firm of Schram's livery and undertaking establish- ment is well known in Milwaukee. In politics Mr. Schram is an adherent of the Democratic party; in church affiliations he is a member of the Jewish church. On March 24. 1898, he was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of William and Fannie (Hammerschlag) Benjamin, of Milwaukee, and to this union has been born one child, Lester. now attending school. Fraternally Mr. Schram is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows, the B'nai B'rith and the State Undertakers' Association.

Julius Schram, one of the proprietors of Schram's Milwaukee Livery, Undertaking and Embalming Establishment, located at 347-49 Eleventh street, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., May 15, 1860. the son of Jacob and Laura (Klaus) Schram, both natives of Prague, Bohemia. The father learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country, but never followed it as an occupation. He was also a fruit dealer. In the early fifties he came to Milwaukee with his wife and three children-Charles. Lewis and Lucy. Here he established a flour and feed store on Chestnut street and remained in this business for a few years. He sold this business and in connec- tion with his brother. John D., he started a sheep skin tannery on Commerce street and was interested in this business up to the time

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of his death, which occurred April 19, 1869. The mother died March 18, 1899. They were the parents of seven children-Charles, Lewis, Lucy, Silvia, Julius, Samuel and David. Charles is in the employ of the St. Paul railroad in Chicago; Lucy is now Mrs. Her- man Gross, of Milwaukee; Silvia is Mrs. Samuel Schwartz, of Chi- cago. David and Samuel are with Julius in his business, and sketches of them will be found elsewhere in this volume. Julius Schram was educated in the Milwaukee public schools and in En- gleman's Academy. At the age of thirteen he started to learn the harness maker's trade with Carl Schafer. He then learned to be a carriage trimmer and was employed in this capacity by Wechel- berg & Brown for seven years. In 1880 he engaged in the buying and selling of horses, and six years later he established a livery busi- ness on Vliet street. He was very successful in this line of busi- ness and it having grown to such proportions as to require more spacious quarters, in 1893 he removed to his present location at 347-49 Eleventh street. He is not active in politics, but votes the Democratic ticket. His church affiliations are with the Jewish church. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Odd Fellows. Sons of Hermann, B'nai B'rith, Royal Arcanum, Maccabees and B'rith Abrams. On Sept. 22, 1891, he was married to Miss Laura, daughter of Elias and Fredericka Kindskopf, of Milwaukee. They have one child, Loraine, who is attending school.

Oswald Rogers, who conducts a large wholesale cream and milk establishment at 178 Twenty-third street, was born at Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wis .. Nov. 5, 1846, the son of Jacob M. and Betsey Rogers, the former born in Troy, N. Y., June 3, 1795, and the latter in Glen Falls, N. Y., June 8, 1805. Jacob M. Rogers, the father, was one of the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee, he having come west in 1836 and located here. He first engaged in the contracting busi- ness building streets and roads and he also built several of the light houses on Lake Michigan, both in Milwaukee and in other cities along the lake shore. The light house at the foot of Wiscon- sin street was built by him. In the early forties he removed to Rock county and settled on a farm. Here he became quite pros- perous, but a fire destroyed all his property and he returned to Mil- waukee. He bought a large tract of land just outside of what was then the city limits, but which now is much of the west side. Here he established a milk business and furnished milk to all of the lead- ing hotels. He died June 7, 1880, and the mother died Feb. 17. 1888. They were the parents of sixteen children, nearly all of whom live in Milwaukee county. Oswald Rogers received his edu- cation in the Milwaukee public schools. At the age of eighteen he left school to work on the farm and assist his father in the milk business. He had charge of the delivery of the milk for eighteen years. After the death of his father he took entire charge of the business. In 1903 he sold out the retail business to Grindley & Co. and since that time has devoted his entire attention to the 'whole- sale business. He handles nearly 3,000 quarts of milk and about 300 gallons of cream daily. He supplies all the leading hotels and

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restaurants in the city and also many of the dining cars on the rail- roads. He has his headquarters at his home and the milk is shipped in from different places throughout the state. He employs six men all of the time to help him carry on his business. On Oct. 5, 1885, he married Miss Mary F. Clapp, daughter of Rev. Luther Clapp, of Wauwautosa. He takes an active interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket. In religion he belongs to the Grand Avenue Congregational church.

Charles Dana Richards, a gardener at 1144 Second street, Mil- waukee, was born at Bradford, Canada, Aug. 10, 1847, the son of Daniel H. and Sarah H. (Dana) Richards, both natives of the Em- pire state. Daniel H. Richards, the father, was one of Milwaukee's oldest settlers. Coming west from New York in 1835, he lived for one year at Peoria, Ill., then on July 14, 1836, came to Milwaukee and established the first paper published in Milwaukee, "The Ad- vertiser," which has since become "The Evening Wisconsin." He was also interested in many enterprises tending to further the interests of the city. He was one of the leaders in the movement to secure the Rock River canal and was one of the founders of the first railroad entering Milwaukee. Mr. Richards came of a family of thirteen children, Chief Justice Richards, of Bradford, Canada, being one of his brothers. He himself was a classmate of Stephen A. Douglas. He died Feb. 12, 1873, and his wife died in 1891. Charles Dana Richards received his education in the Second ward school of Milwaukee. At the age of eighteen he left school to help work in his father's garden and since that time has continued the occupation of a gardener. He has a beautiful garden situated on an elevation that overlooks the entire city. Mr. Richards married Miss Eliza Lee, daughter of William Lee, of Milwaukee, and they are the parents of four children-Frank B., Charles D., Jr. ; Henry B. and William L. In politics Mr. Richards belongs to the Democratic party and as a representative of that party served as alderman from the Thirteenth ward from 1883 to 1888. In religion he is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Richards belongs to no societies or clubs.

Thomas Henry Moffitt, one of the leading retail milk dealers of Milwaukee, was born in Cavan county, Ireland, Sept. 17, 1868, the son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Gregg) Moffitt, both natives of Cavan county, Ireland. The father was a farmer in his native country and never came to America except for a visit of a few months. He died in 1898 and the mother in 1902. They were the parents of ten chil- dren. all of whom are living but one. Four boys and two girls live in America. Mary Ann, one of the girls, lives with her brother Thomas in Milwaukee. Thomas Henry Moffitt received his edu- cation in the district schools, of his native county. At the age of fifteen he began working on a farm in the summer time, but still at- tended school in the winter. At the age of seventeen he, with two brothers, embarked for America and landed at Bristol, R. I. Six months later they came west and located in Stebinsville, Wis., where Thomas worked on a farm for nearly a year, then came to Milwau-

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kee. Soon after he entered the employ of a Mr. Wheeler, who owned a farm in the town of Wauwautosa, and he remained with him for four years. Returning to Milwaukee, he continued the milk business which he had established while living on the farm and con- ducted that for six years. Removing to Oconomowoc, Wis., he es- tablished a cream and milk business and remained there for six years, when he returned to Milwaukee and became an agent for a book company for one year. He then returned to the milk business and now conducts a large retail establishment at 250 Twenty-eighth street. On Nov. 16, 1898, Mr. Moffitt was married to Miss Jennie M. Lyman, daughter of Albert and Frances ( Purner ) Lyman, and to this union two children have been born-Elizabeth May, July 14, 1900, and Alace Adell, April 21, 1908. In politics Mr. Moffitt is an adherent of the Republican party, while in church affiliations he is a Methodist. Mr. Moffitt is a home-loving man and belongs to no societies or fraternal organizations.

Paul Charles Rohde, assistant taxidermist at the public mu- seum, was born in Milwaukee, Oct. 23, 1880, the son of Charles Alexander and Alvina (Ackerhausen) Rohde, both natives of Ger- many. The father received his early education in his native coun- try and while yet quite young came to America and direct to Mil- waukee, first engaging with Delorme & Quentin, and afterward was in the book business with George Brunder. Later he started in the book business for himself. He remained in this business for many years, then entered the firm of Weisenborn & Co., wholesale notions, and is still connected with that company. He is the father of four children-Hugo, Clara. Paul and Walter, all living at home. Paul Charles received his education in the public schools of Mil- waukee. At the age of sixteen he left school and for a time helped his father in the book business. In 1898 he entered the employ of the Public Museum as an apprentice in the taxidermist's depart- ment and has steadily worked his way up until he is now assistant taxidermist and he is recognized as an expert along that line. On Oct. 3. 1906, Mr. Rohde was married to Miss Lola Mueller, daugh- ter of Henry P. Mueller, of Milwaukee, and they are the parents of one child, Carla Lola, born May 28, 1908. He is a member of the Milwaukee Turners and of the Wisconsin Natural History Society.

Stephen Henry Surman, a popular wholesale and retail cigar dealer at 132 Wisconsin street, Milwaukee, is a native of the Empire state, having been born in Norwich on March 10, 1875. His father and mother were both born in England. While still a youth the father, Thomas F. Surman, came to the United States and settled on a farm near Norwich, N. Y. After attaining his majority he embarked in the grocery business in Norwich, a business which he continued until 1888. In that year he removed to Syracuse, N. Y., where, for some years, he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. From Syracuse he went to Philadelphia with Mr. John Scott, and under the firm name of John Scott & Co., conducted a large grocery business until his retirement in 1898. The mother died in 1904, leaving three children : Elizabeth, a nurse

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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 34

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