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 36
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ambitious, paid strict attention to business, and this, combined with his natural ability, earned for him the reward he deserved, and the store at Third and National avenues became one of the most popu- lar in that part of the city. For twenty-one years he carried on the business of H. Salentine & Co., with credit to the concern, and in 1905 disposed of the hardware business to Peter Laveis and em- barked in the sheet metal work, which he conducted with as much success as he had the hardware business. Two years later he re- tired to enjoy a well-earned respite from the activities of his busy life. But a year elapsed before he passed over the great divide, after a life which was unselfish, upright and devoted to his family and friends. His loss was felt by the whole community and was mourned by his friends and his devoted family. In 1890, on Nov. 25, Mr. Salentine was united in marriage with Miss Marie Esser, the daughter of John and Theresa (Sturm) Esser, of Milwaukee. Their home was gladdened by four children-Clarence, who is studying drafting and pattern making in the Milwaukee School of Trades; Irving, Marcella and Mildred, who are all at home with their mother. Mrs. Salentine's parents were natives of Germany; her father was a brewer, who came to the United States in 1860 and located at Albany, N. Y. Some years later he came west to Chi- cago, but was there only a short time when he came to Milwaukee. Subsequently he conducted a brewing business at Sauk City, Wis., for five years, but disposed of it and became a hotel keeper at New Albin, Ia. After conducting the hotel for three years Mr. Esser sold it and returned to Milwaukee and became associated with the Pabst Brewing Co. Within a few years he earned a sufficient com- petence to retire some years before his demise, which occurred in 1905. During his life Mr. Salentine was closely connected with the Democratic party and was a member of the Catholic Order of For- esters, and with his family was a member of Trinity Catholic church.
Richard Bernhard Pritzlaff, deceased, for many years a promi- nent and influential figure in the commercial life of Milwaukee, was born in Pommern, Prussia, Germany, on March 3, 1859. He was a son of August and Caroline (Moldenhauer) Pritzlaff, both native Germans. The father was an instructor in the parochial schools of the Fatherland and came to Milwaukee in 1867. Here he was engaged in pedagogic work in St. Stephen's school on the south side until his death. The mother died in 1898. Richard B. Pritzlaff was the sixth in order of birth of the nine children in the family. He received his educational advantages in the common schools of Ger- many and after coming to this country attended the public schools of Milwaukee for a time. When he had completed his scholastic training he received some valuable experience in business under his uncle, John Pritzlaff, in the John Pritzlaff Hardware Company as bookkeeper. At the time of his death he was head buyer for this firm and was a partner in the Pritzlaff Brothers Company at 171- 173 Reed street. After his death his widow disposed of all his stock
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in both companies. In politics he was an ardent adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and served as a member of the school board. St. Stephen's church never had a more willing worker, nor a more earnest member, than Mr. Pritzlaff, and prob- ably nowhere was his loss more keenly felt than in the church. He was also identified with the Iroquois Club. On June 16, 1881, Mr. Pritzlaff was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Prasser, a daughter of Andrew and Fredericka (Wolff) Prasser, of Milwaukee .. Both parents were born in Germany. The father on coming to this coun- try located first in New York and shortly afterward moved to Mil- waukee, where he was established for many years as a furniture dealer on Lake street. He retired from active participation in busi- ness several years before his death, which occurred on July 9, 1895. His widow is still living, making her home at 356 Madison street. The father was a stanch Republican in his politics and served in the common council as the alderman from his ward. He was also a member of Armin lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. To Mr. and Mrs. Pritzlaff were born seven daughters-Alma, Elsie, Amelia, Emma, Helen, Clara and Ruth.
Joseph Oscar Ogden, retired, one of the most respected citi- zens of Milwaukee, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 16, 1833. His father was James Kilborn Ogden, who was born in Elizabethi- town, N. J., on July 30, 1793, and his mother was Margaret (Hall) Ogden, a native of Baltimore, Md. The father's educational advan- tages were limited to the country schools. When twenty-one years of age, in 1814, he removed to Cincinnati and established there the first pottery west of the Alleghany mountains. His marriage oc- curred in 1818 and his union was blessed with the following chil- dren: Ezekiel Hall, Elizabeth Hall, Sarah Anna Wood, Joseph Oscar and Albert Hall. He was a most successful business man and was known in all walks of life as an upright, honest Christian gentleman. He was a direct descendant of the Ogdens who set- tled in Elizabethtown in its early history. Joseph O. Ogden, the subject of this review, attended the public schools of Cincinnati and rounded out his scholastic career by a course at Herron Seminary in the same city. In 1849 he came to Milwaukee and for a year served in a clerical position in the Magie & Swain Clothing Com- pany. Then for a number of years he was again a resident of Cin- cinnati and later of Philadelphia, Pa., where he was engaged in the malleable iron industry. When he returned to Milwaukee it was to retire from active participation in business affairs. He lias a beautiful home at 2324 Sycamore street. In politics Mr. Ogden is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. He is a devout communicant of St. James' Episcopal church. On Feb. 14, 1860, Mr. Ogden was united in marriage to Miss Esther A. Swain, a daughter of James Swain of Milwaukee. Her parents were both natives of Elizabethtown, N. J., and the father was a merchant tailor who came to Milwaukee in 1848 and was in the merchant tailoring business at 168 East Water street for a good many years. For a
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term he was adjutant-general of the Wisconsin National Guard. When the War of the Rebellion opened he accepted a commission as a colonel in the quartermaster's department and served through- out the struggle. After the war he settled in Memphis, Tenn., where he died in 1880, eleven years after his wife's demise. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogden were born the following children: Fannie B., de- ceased ; Sarah L., wife of George W. Goodman, of Milwaukee; Mar- garet Hall, now Mrs. W. K. Kilgore, of Oak Park, Ill .; James K., a varnish manufacturer located at St. Paul, Minn .; Alberta, wife of Harry P. Trayser of this city ; Franklin, deceased ; and Bell Armour Reis, of St. Paul, Minn., secretary of the Twin City Varnish Co.
Henry Melvine Shaw, deceased, for many years one of the old and respected citizens of Milwaukee, was born in Bordentown, N. J., on Dec. 22, 1824. He was a son of John J. and Clara (Melvine) Shaw. the former of whom was born in Bordentown, N. J., and the latter in Philadelphia, Pa. The father was a merchant, who came west in the early fifties and located in St. Paul, Minn. He built the Merchants' Hotel, one of the best-known hostelries of that city, and for a number of years was its proprietor. Before his death he retired and returned to the east, his death occurring in New York City. The mother died when the subject of this sketch was but an infant. There were two sons in the family-Henry and William. Henry M. Shaw received his educational advantages in the public schools of Philadelphia. At the age of twenty-five he came west and became associated with his father in the latter's business interests. This association was kept up until his death on July 27, 1862. In his political beliefs Mr. Shaw was always allied with the Republican party, but was never an aspirant for any public office. On June 25, 1854. occurred his marriage to Miss Anna Anderson, of St. Paul, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Nichols) Anderson. Mrs. Shaw's father was born in Hungary and her mother in Philadelphia. The father came to the United States as a boy and located in New York, where he became associated in the fur trading business with John Jacob Astor. After his marriage he came west and with Mr. Astor established a fur trading post on the site of the present city of Sagi- naw, Mich. Later he removed to St. Paul, where he was engaged in the fur trade with the Indians. He retired some twenty years before his death, which occurred in 1885, at the advanced age of one hundred and three years. The mother died in 1880, at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Shaw, the widow of the subject of this memoir, was born in New York City. Two of her children are living-Ella, wife of Dr. J. P. Carmichael, a dentist of Milwaukee, and Harry M., a resident of Chicago.
Carl Steinmueller, retired, a prominent and respected citizen of the city of Milwaukee, was born in Mecklenburg. Germany, on Feb. 16. 1839. He was the second child in order of birth of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Steinmueller, the latter of whom died in Milwaukee in 1868 and the former in 1890, leaving a family of six children. The father was a laborer, who emigrated to America in 1863. Carl
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Steinmueller received his educational advantages in the common schools of Germany, and from the time he had completed his studies until coming to America with his father's family in 1863 he worked on a farm. Soon after his arrival in Milwaukee in that year he secured employment with the Plankinton Packing Company. His connection with that firm continued until its purchase by the Cud- ahy Company, and he remained in the same capacity with the latter company when it took over the business of the Plankinton con- cern. Later he was made a foreman in the plant, and was serving as such when he retired from active participation in business life in 1901. In politics he allies himself with the Republican party, but has never sought public office. On Oct. 12, 1862, Mr. Steinmueller was united in marriage to Miss Frederica Gabert and to this union have been born three children-Charles, Albert and Annie, 110W Mrs. Alfred Hunkey.
Captain Edward A. Tighe, deceased, was for many years a well- known lake captain and later one of the prominent lumber mer- chants of Milwaukee. He was born at Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 8, 1842, being the son of Edward and Catherine ( Mulleren) Tighe, both of whom were born and reared in this historic old town on the Liffey, the capital city of Ireland. Edward Tighe, Sr., was a sur- veyor, who was actively occupied in his profession until he died, leaving a wife and four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest. After her husband's death Catherine Tighe deter- mined to come to America and give her children the advantages offered by a new and growing country. They immigrated to the United States and soon after landing located in Milwaukee, where the opportunities on every hand attracted and held them. Mrs. Tighe continued to live in Milwaukee until the cares and responsi- bilities of life were lifted from her and she passed peacefully away just as the new century dawned. Edward, Jr., attended the public schools of Milwaukee and after completing a course in the high school with great credit, his mother determined to send him back to the mother country to finish his education. He soon sailed for Dublin, his native town, the largest city in Ireland and one of the most important educational centers in Europe, He matriculated at Trinity college, which was chartered in 1591, and is one of the rich- est corporations and most important educational institutions in Ire- land. After completing his studies in this grand old college Mr. Tighe returned to the United States and went on the lakes. He began as a sailor in order to learn the lake trade thoroughly and was rapidly advanced from one position of responsibility to an- other, and within a short time was commanding a boat of his own. He was a good manager, keen and far sighted in business deals, and his investments proved so successful that in 1881, when he was only thirty-nine years of age, he had accumulated money enough to leave the lakes and engaged in the lumber business in Milwaukee. A year later, in 1882, he was united in marriage with Mrs. John D. Allcott, the daughter of Michael and Marguerite (Moran) Ryan,
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both old residents of Milwaukee. Mrs. Tighe's father was a sturdy son of the Emerald Isle, who immigrated to the United States in 1852. He was a machinist by trade and followed it after reaching this country ; first at the North Milwaukee round house and later at the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad shops. He retired some time before his demise, which occurred Feb. 2, 1899. His wife still lives in Milwaukee, a bright old lady already counting more than threescore years and ten, as she is eighty-five years of age. Four children were welcomed to the Tighes' hospitable home- Alvin A., who graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D. C., in 1908; Thomas G., who is engaged in the lumber industry at Manistee, Mich .: Leonard, who is in business with his brother in Manistee : and Eva M., who is at home. Though not aggressive in his political views, Mr. Tighe was a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, in which he mani- fested a loyal interest. With his family he was a member of the Gesu Roman Catholic church and it lost a devout and loyal sup- porter when he died Dec. 29, 1906. He was affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Henry Charles Porth, deceased, died at the early age of thirty- two years, but in his short career as a man of affairs he demon- strated the possession of extraordinary qualifications as a business man, and had his life been spared he doubtless would have achieved enviable distinction in the industrial world. Mr. Porth was born in the city of Milwaukee on Jan. 19, 1854, the son of Joseph and Ottillia (Hetzel) Porth, the former a native of Prussia and the lat- ter of Germany. The father immigrated to the United States in early manhood, and locating in Milwaukee engaged in the cooperage business, first by himself and afterward in partnership with his three brothers-John, William and Anthony. Later he engaged in the wholesale liquor business, in which line of activity he was employed until he retired from business about two years before his death, that event occurring in 1881. He became quite prominent in public affairs in the city of Milwaukee, and as a Democrat was elected at different times to the positions of assessor and member of the board of aldermen. He and his wife were members of St. Joseph's church, and they were the parents of three children-Henry Charles, George WV. and Tillie, the last-named being the wife of M. F. Schmidt. Henry Charles Porth received his education in the public and high schools of the city of Milwaukee, and afterward took a course at the Spencerian Business College. He began his independent career as a messenger boy for Alexander Mitchell in the old Mitchell Bank. and remained with that institution for a period of eight years, being successfully promoted to positions of responsibility and trust. He became teller in the German Exchange Bank, of which M. von Baumbach was president and Rudolph Nunnemacher cashier, and he remained with this institution four years. In 1876 he estab- lished a wood and coal business, with office and yard at No. 52 Oneida street, corner of River street, and his partner in this enter-
ANTHONY C. EWENS. JR.
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prise was H. J. Pauly. The firm had three schooners with which they transported their wood and coal, and they continued the busi- ness for a number of years, after which Mr. Porth engaged in the commission business, in which he was employed at the time of his death, that deplorable event occurring on Feb. 24, 1886. He was an ardent Democrat in his political views, although he never entered public life in the way of holding office, and socially he was a mem- ber of the American Legion of Honor, the Benevolent Society and the North Side Turner Society, of which organization he officiated as president for some time. Mr. Porth was married on Nov. 7. 1876, to Miss Anna M. Pleisch, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Chris- tian and Rosa (Nunnemacher) Pleisch, and to this union there were born two children-Erwin J., who is by occupation a book- keeper, and Irma, who resides at home with her mother. The par- ents of Mrs. Porth were natives of Switzerland, who migrated to America in 1843 and settled in Milwaukee, where the father engaged in the commission business. They were members of St. Mary's church and {of the Singing Society. Christian Pleisch, the father, at the breaking out of the Civil War, enlisted as a private in Com- pany K, Fourth Missouri cavalry. This regiment was formed by the consolidation of two battalions, known as the Fremont Hussars and Benton Hussars, each having six full companies, the union being effected in November, 1862, though the two battalions had been in existence for about one year. During the fall of 1862 and the succeeding winter the regiment was under command of General Davidson in southeast Missouri, forming a part of the expedition to Batesville. In the spring of 1863 it was ordered to report to General Rosecrans in Tennessee, but before reaching its destination was stopped by General Asboth at Columbus. Ky., where it was attached to the Sixth division, Sixteenth corps. Mr. Pleisch con- tracted yellow fever about this time and died of that dread disease on Aug. 13. 1863. His wife survived him many years and died in August, 1889.
Anthony Christian Ewens, Jr., deceased. who was a real estate dealer and one of the substantial citizens of Milwaukee for a num- ber of years, was born in Milwaukee on Dec. 1, 1868. He was a son of Anthony C. and Anna (Schuh) Ewens, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Milwaukee. The father came to Milwaukee from the Fatherland in 1848 and secured em- ployment as a mail carrier in the postoffice service. Later, when the branch offices were stablished, he was made superintendent of the Twelfth street branch. When he severed that association he engaged in the real estate business with his now deceased son, Anthony C .. Jr. When the dark cloud of war hovered over the horizon of national unity Anthony C., Sr., enlisted in the Twenty- sixth Wisconsin infantry and took a gallant part in the suppres- sion of the rebellion. Politically he is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office, and in fraternal matters is identified with the Wolcott Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Anthony
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C. Ewens, Jr., the subject of this review, received his educational advantages in St. Joseph's parochial school, Marquette College and the Spencerian Business College. His first labor after leaving school was as office boy with Wheeler's real estate and insurance office ; then bookkeeper for Richter, Schuber & Dick. This connec- tion continued until 1895, when, in partnership with his father, he engaged in the realty business. His thorough methods, his keen business acumen and his genial, kindly disposition won him many friends and a large business, and it has never been said by any with whom Mr. Ewens had business dealings that unfair advantage was ever taken, nor that he ever was the least trifle dishonest. This business was successfully conducted by Mr. Ewens until his death, which occurred on June 16, 1907. In his political relations he was allied with the Republican party, but despite the urgent solicitation of his many friends, he never allowed them to use his name in con- nection with the candidacy for any public office, the pressure of business affairs being so great that he felt that he could not spare the leisure necessary to devote to public office. He was a deeply religious man, and was one of the founders of St. Ann's Catholic church, of which, for nine years, he was lay secretary. His fra- ternal relations were with the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Foresters and the Alumni Association of Marquette College, and he was also a member of the Board of Underwriters. On Oct. 27, 1891, Mr. Ewens was united in marriage to Miss Rose Meindl, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Lang) Meindl, of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Meindl were both born in Germany and came to Mil- waukee about 1855. The father was foreman of the Charles Swain Wood & Coal Company's yards for thirty-five years, but retired some years before his death, which occurred on June 18, 1901. The mother passed away on April 3, 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewens were born eight children-Rose, Irene, Edmund, Anthony, Row- land, Coletta, Waldman and Clara.
Jacob Josten, deceased, was one of the useful citizens of Mil- waukee, where he followed the business of sign painting and deco- rating, and evidences of his skill and artistic taste are in evidence in all parts of the Cream City. He was born in the city that was the scene of his successful career March 23, 1857, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Berger) Josten, both of whom were natives of Darmstadt, Germany. The father migrated to the United States in 1850 and first located in the city of Philadelphia, where he con- ducted a meat market for some time. Selling his business there he later removed to Milwaukee and was employed as a butcher in one of the Layton packing establishments, in which line of work he continued until the time of his death, that event occurring in 1870. The mother survived until July 3, 1895. They were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this review was the second born, and the names of the others were Charlotte, Mar- guerite and George. Jacob Josten received his education in the public schools of Milwaukee, and when about to initiate his inde-
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pendent career learned the trade of sign painting, in which he was destined to achieve unqualified success and win more than local renown. He followed this occupation, together with artistic deco- rating, all of his active life, and in 1871 opened his place of business at No. 209 Second street. He built up an excellent business and gave constant employment to twenty-five or thirty men. He did all of the decorative work on the St. Francis Seminary building, the Polish church, the new Majestic Theater building, and many other public buildings of the city. Mr. Josten departed this life on Aug. 19, 1899, and his widow still continues the business established by her husband, the location now being on State street. The subject of this review gave loyal support to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party, but never essayed the role of an office-seeker, and his religious affiliations were with the St. Joseph Catholic church. Mr. Josten was married on May 17, 1881, to Miss Theresa Kastenholz, daughter of John and Christina (Schmitz) Kastenholz, and to this union there were born five children-Charlotte, who is deceased ; Alice, Theresa, James and Alfred. James is a book- keeper by profession and Alfred is now a student in Rheude's Busi- ness College and Drafting School. The parents of Mrs. Josten were both born in Germany, and the father followed the trade of a car- penter. In 1852 he came to Milwaukee and continued working at his trade until about thirty years ago, when he retired. IIe is still living at the advanced age of ninety years, and his good wife passed away on May 11, 1906. The father is an uncompromising Demo- crat in his political views.
Paul Weise, one of the well-known and popular furniture deal- ers and house decorators of Milwaukee, was born in West Prussia, Germany, July 3, 1863. He is the son of John Weise, who was born and reared there. He was a merchant grocer and continued in this business in the old country until 1897, when he retired from active business and came to America to make his home with his children in Milwaukee. He lived a very quiet retired life after coming to Milwaukee and died in 1902. Paul was the second of the four chil- dren born to his parents and received his scholastic training in the schools of the Fatherland. After finishing his studies he served an apprenticeship as an upholsterer and decorator, which vocation he followed in the old country until he was nineteen years of age, but desired to widen his field of activities and came to the United States and almost immediately located in Milwaukee. For three years he worked at his trade, but was not contented to work for others as a paid employee, and in 1886 started a shop of his own on Albion street. Under Mr. Weise's skillful management the business has steadily grown and he now manufactures and handles furniture, car- pets, shades, draperies and all kinds of house furnishings. In con- nection with this he runs a vacuum cleaning establishment for cleaning carpets, draperies, curtains and other perishable house- hold decorations. The house has twenty-seven thousand square feet of floor space and a corps of thirty-five employes, and it
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