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 39
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a number of the largest grain warehouses in Milwaukee. He also dealt extensively in real estate, of which he was a large holder. He retired from active business with an ample competence a few years before his death. In addition to his other business enterprises, Mr. Weeks did an extensive dairy business, and took great pride in con- ducting the same in the most improved and up-to-date manner. He was the first man to make practical use of the ensilage system for the preservation of green fodder.
Fred W. Mueller, proprietor of one of the most modern green- houses in the state, was born at Falkenburg, in the province of Pomerania, Germany, on Sept. 19, 1862. He is a son of Henry A. and Johanna (Goehj) Mueller, both natives of Falkenburg. The father was a woolen goods manufacturer in his native land, in which capacity he labored until he came to the United States in 1885. From that year until 1907, when he retired from active participation in business affairs, he was in the employ of the city of Milwaukee. He and wife now make their home on Garfield avenue. He is the father of two sons and a daughter. Fred W. Mueller, the subject of this memoir, received his educational training in the public schools and under the preceptorship of a private tutor in Germany. At the age of seventeen years he became an employe of his father in the woolen goods factory, and after he had served his apprenticeship and mastered the trade he worked at it in various factories in different parts of the Fatherland. He has always been a great reader, and after absorbing the contents of all the books on America which he could obtain he became imbued with the desire to locate in this country. In 1882, before he had reached his twentieth birthday, he was enabled to fulfill that desire and came direct to Milwaukee. Being short of funds he was willing to do almost anything that would furnish him a livelihood. For a time he worked in a brick yard and then for two years worked in the pineries in Michigan. While there he contracted malarial fever and returned to Milwaukee. When he had sufficiently recovered he found employment with J. H. Landwehr, with whom he remained two years. Then he became associated with Robert Schilling in the newspaper business as local editor, and at the time Mr. Schill- ing disposed of his interests by sale, was the manager. He then became advertising agent for the Milwaukee Herold and remained with that publication until 1895. In that year, with Henry D. Hummel, he embarked in the realty business, dealing in insurance and mortgages also. Ten years later he severed this connection to again enter the newspaper business at Watertown, Wis., but he re- mained there only one year. On his return to Milwaukee he and William R. Schroeder engaged in the floricultural business. His knowledge of the art he acquired by extensive reading and practical application whenever it was possible. The firm was incorporated in 1906. with Mr. Schroeder as president, Miss Ottilia Mueller as vice- president and Mr. Mueller as secretary and treasurer. The green- houses, in which many thousands of flowers bloom weekly. are located at West Twenty-fourth and Pease streets. Mr. Mueller is not allied with any of the existing political parties, preferring to exercise his
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right of franchise as his judgment dictates rather than be bound by party ties. ITis religious relations are with the Lutheran church. He has been the victim of numerous accidents, all of which might have resulted fatally. Several times he has narrowly escaped drown- ing, and recently, while he and his son were riding on a street car they were in a wreck which injured both of them. Fraternally Mr. Mueller is prominently identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In the former organization he is a mem- ber of Wisconsin Lodge, No. 13; Kilbourn chapter, No. 1; Kilbourn council, Wisconsin consistory ; and a noble of the Mystic Shrine. On Oct. 27, 1887, occurred Mr. Mueller's marriage to a daughter of Carl and Christina ( Blowel) Justus, of Milwaukee. Five children have been the issue of this marriage: Gustav, Bertha, Ottilia, Arthur, and Lydia, all living at home.
Gustav Frederick Baermann, a prominent landscape gardener and florist of Milwaukee, was born in Gelzow, Germany, on Feb. 17, 1870, a son of Robert and Bertha (Bishop) Baermann. The parents are both native Germans who came to the United States in 1887 and located near Montague, Mich., where the father is still managing a farm. There were seven children in the family, of whom but three survive. Gustav F. Baermann, the subject of this review, received the scholastic training afforded by the German schools. At the age of sixteen he became apprenticed to a landscape gardener and florist. When he had mastered the art he migrated, in 1887, with his parents to America, and became employed as gardener and florist for Frank White at Montague, Mich. He remained in Montague till 1889; from then until 1891 was employed in a cemetery in Menomonee, Mich., and in the last named year came to Milwaukee. Here he secured employment with Curry Brothers, and later for two years was the florist at Washington Park. In 1900, in partnership with John G. Heitman, he em- barked in the floristry business under the firm name of Heitman & Baermann, with greenhouses in the town of Wauwatosa. Owing to his habits of industry and thrift and his sterling integrity the enterprise has been a success from its inception and at the present time does a large and flourishing business. In politics he is not allied with any of the existing political parties, preferring to exercise his own judgment in the use of his right of suffrage rather than be bound by party ties. His religious relations are with the German Lutheran church, and professionally and socially he is identified with the Florists' Club and the Lutheran Mutual Aid Society. On Nov. 19, 1893, Mr. Baermann was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Altenburg, of Milwaukee, a daughter of William and Albertina (Broecker) Altenburg. The children born to this union are namely : Walter, Robert, Helmuth, Godhardt, Esther, Lydia, Erich, Eleanor and Bruno, all living at home.
Gustav Adolph Pohl, a florist of well-known ability, was born in San Francisco, Cal., on Feb. 24. 1869, a son of Oliver and Marie (Dahlstrom) Pohl. Both parents were born in Hamburg, Germany, where the father was a machinist by trade, a vocation which kept him occupied all his life. Shortly after his marriage he went to
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China and found employment there, but after a short residence there came to the United States, and located in San Francisco. Some time later he left San Francisco for Germany, the wife and children also returning to the Fatherland. The father secured employment on the steamship Vorsetjen as ship's machinist, and when that vessel was lost at sea the widow with her four chilldren, in 1888, returned to the United States and she now makes her home with a daughter in Milwaukee. Gustav A. Pohl, the subject of this review, received his scholastic advantages in San Francisco and Hamburg, Germany. While still a resident of the latter country he became apprenticed to a florist and thoroughly mastered every branch of the industry. After coming to Milwaukee with his mother, in 1888, he became an employe of one of the largest greenhouses in the city and later for some two years was head florist in a large Chicago establishment. On his return to Milwaukee he embarked in the business under his own name. Starting with no capital to speak of except habits of thrift and indus- try and sterling honesty Mr. Pohl made the venture a success from the start. The patronage has grown rapidly and the concern is to-day one of the best paying businesses in the Cream City. In politics he is allied with the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office. His religious relations are with the Lutheran church. On March 18, 1905, occurred Mr. Pohl's marriage to Miss Olga Dramm, of Milwaukee. They have no children. Mr. Pohl devotes all his time to his business, but finds leisure to participate in the meetings and discussions of the Florists' Club.
Walter S. Droppers, the secretary of the Galland-Henning Pneumatic Malting Drum Company, was born in Milwaukee, Feb. 7, 1871. He is of good Dutch descent, the father, John D. Droppers, Sr., having been born in Winterswyk, Holland, and the mother, Gertrude (Boijink) Droppers, in Aalten, Holland. The mother came to this country in 1846, and the father, direct to Milwaukee, the following year. The former passed away on Feb. 21, 1878, and the latter on April 18, 1906. Walter S. Droppers, the subject of this memoir, received his preliminary education in the Milwaukee public schools and completed his scholastic labors by a course in the state normal school. He had mapped out for himself a career as a lawyer, but after five years of labor in the legal field he determined to seek other employment, and became associated with the Galland-Henning Pneumatic Malting Drum Company. He began his labors at the lowest round of the ladder, but by close application to duty he was promoted step by step until in May, 1904, at the annual meeting of the company he was made the secretary, a position which he has since filled with the utmost competency. The place he fills in the com- mercial life of the city may be judged from the fact that he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is also promi- nent, being a past master of Kilbourn lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is at present affiliated with the Ivanhoe commandery, Knights Templar. On July 18, 1895, Mr. Droppers was united in marriage to Miss Matie Fischer, daughter of Francis and Frances Fischer. Two children have come to bless this union-Genevieve and Marjorie.
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Frank D. Wolfgram, the efficient president and manager of the Sanitary Brush & Compound Company, was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 9, 1858. He is a son of Franz and Minnie (Steege) Wolfgram, both of whom were born in Prussia. The father came direct to Mil- waukee from Prussia when a young man and was variously engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred in this city in 1906. His widow is still a respected resident of the city. Frank D. Wolfgram, the subject of this review, received his primary education in the public schools of the city and then took a course of study in the Spencerian Business College. He graduated with honors at that in- stitution, winning one of the scholarships offered at the time. The first four years after leaving school he was in the employ of a large machine company, and during the following six years he occupied a position as bookkeeper in the local offices of the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railway Company. When he severed that association it was to become a bookkeeper for the Kieckhefer Company, and he remained in their employ for twenty-four years .. In July, 1907, in partnership with Edward Klausman and F. M. Haase, Mr. Wolfgram established the Sanitary Brush & Compound Company. Although the firm has been in existence but a comparatively short time it has had a remarkable growth, its products filling a long-felt want, and under Mr. Wolfgram's wise guidance its business is increasing each month. The officers of the company are F. D. Wolfgram, president and manager; Fred W. Runkel, vice-president, and A. E. Estein, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock has been increased from $1,500 to $20,000, and the output has increased from 30,000 pounds to 200,000 pounds. Mr. Wolfgram has been twice married. By his first wife, Miss Clara Habermehl, to whom he was united in marriage in 1888, he had two children, Clara and Francis. In 1892 he married Miss Lucile Fritchne, and they have one son, Irving I.
Alois L. Kiefer, president of the Kiefer-Haessler Hardware Company, was born in Dodge county, Wis., on June 16, 1862, a son of Michael and Mary (Aples) Kiefer. Both parents were born in France, and there the father joined the French army, with which he saw eight years of service in the West Indies. After coming to this country he settled first in Massachusetts, where for three years he had direct charge of a windmill. At the end of that time he removed to Dodge county, Wis., but subsequently returned to Massa- chusetts, where his death occurred in 1905. His wife passed away in 1878. Alois L. Kiefer, the subject of this review, received the limited educational advantages afforded by the public schools of Dodge county, and while still a youth removed to Fond du Lac to serve an apprenticeship in the tinner's trade. Subsequently he became interested in the hardware industry and for eleven and a half years was in charge of a store. In February, 1902, in partnership with Herman F. Haessler, he established the Kiefer-Haessler Hardware Company. The venture proved successful in a financial way from the start, due in large measure to Mr. Kiefer's thorough knowledge of the industry, his keen business acumen and his sterling integrity. To-day the concern does one of the largest businesses in the city.
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Ever since its inception Mr. Kiefer has been the president, and the other officers are Frederick G. Mand, vice-president, and Herman F. Haessler, secretary and treasurer. In religious matters Mr. Kiefer is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church and his only fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus. In October, 1898. he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Rooney, a daughter of P. and Mary Rooney, of Milwaukee. They have no children.
Paul C. Borchardt, of the firm of Borchardt & Company, popu- lar and artistic tailors, at 655 Third street, Milwaukee, was born in Fre- donia, Ozaukee county, Wis., Jan. 25, 1874, the son of August and Justina (Loll) Borchardt, both born in Germany in 1837. The father was educated in his native land and at seventeen years of age was a letter carrier, but learned the tailor's trade, working at it in Germany. Finally he determined to try his fortunes in the new world, and he landed in New York on May 17, 1869, but came at once to Waubeka, Wis., where he established himself in the tailoring business, which he continued until July, 1908, when he retired. His family consisted of eight children, Charles F., Herman J., Reinhold, Paul and William, all in the tailoring business on the south side; and Bertha, Augusta, and Emma, all married. Paul was educated in the village school of Fredonia and at fifteen years of age he began learning the tailoring trade with his father. When he reached his majority and felt himself an expert in his line he resolved to try his luck in the larger outside world so he cast his lot in Milwaukee where his elder brothers had already started in the tailoring business. On Feb. 1, 1900, himself and his brother William opened a business place at No. 655 Third street, where they are meeting with popular favor and doing a big business on account of their ability and polite and fair treatment of their many customers. On May 12, 1901, our subject married Miss Lizette, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Barth) Hall, of Cedar- burg, Wis., by whom he has three children : Alvin, born July 7, 1902; Dorothy, born Sept. 8, 1905; and Raymond, born Dec. 17, 1906. He is a member of the Lutheran church and also of the Fraternal Reserve Association, and he is independent in his political views. If gentle- manly treatment of patrons, strict attention to business, and fair dealing count for success, then the Borchardt Bros. are destined to be successful. William A. Borchardt, the junior member of the firm, was born on March 24, 1877, in Fredonia, Wis., and was educated in the public schools of his birthplace. He learned the tailor trade at the age of eighteen, under his father, and continued with him one and one-half years. In 1897 he was employed on the south side by Borchardt Bros. at 347 Grove street, and in 1900 he formed a partner- ship with his brother Paul, at 655 Third street. He is also independent in politics, and he has membership in the Knights of Pythias.
Benjamin O. Fox, president of the Fox Manufacturing Com- pany at Milwaukee, was born in the village of Franksville, Racine county. Wis., June 3. 1876, being the youngest of a family of six boys. He is sprung from a line of Irish ancestors ; his parents, Thomas and Jane (Campion) Fox, were both natives of Ireland. His father was born on a farm in 1829, and in 1836 accompanied his parents to America, where they first resided for a few years on a farm in the
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State of Vermont, coming west to Milwaukee in 1838, and finallly locating on a farm near Franksville. Here his father still resides at the advanced age of seventy-eight. Benjamin O. received a com- mon school education in the schools of his native village, and then started out in life in the humble capacity of messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Co. While thus employed he made good use of his time and learned the art of telegraphy, working from 1892 until 1897 in that occupation, and in the last-named year was appointed as chief operator in the office of the Western Union Tele- gralı Co., at Madison, Wis. Upon his return he was employed as operator for the brokerage firm of Berger & Crittenden until 1902, when he gave up telegraphy to embark in the business of electrical contractor, which he followed with success for about four years, or until 1906. He then decided to make more extensive use of his splendid mechanical and inventive abilities, and went into the business of manufacturing carpenter and other tools; he makes a specialty of the manufacture of floor-scrapers, and has invented an excellent scraper of his own design. He has also invented a number of ingen- ious and exceedingly useful devices in connection with the telephone, the burglar alarm, electric insulation, electric clock, wall safe, etc. ; he has also invented a concrete rough box for burial purposes. Mr. Fox is still a comparatively young man, and judging from his past achieve- ments, should have a brilliant future before him. He has never taken an active part in politics, but takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and is a member of the Democratic party. In the matter of religion he is a devout Christian and a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church, to which he renders a willing and generous support. He belongs to the following fraternal societies: The Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was married on Nov. 24, 1897, to Miss Laura, daughter of George and Louise (Boiclair) Tibbits, of Bay City, Mich., and five children are the fruit of this union : Monica, born Nov. 17, 1899; Lauretta, Feb. 17, 1901 ; Carlyle, Feb. 17, 1903: Veronica, July 3, 1905; and Leroy, born May 30. 1907. The family residence is at No. 1073 North Pierce street, Milwaukee.
Oscar Francis Clisbee, deceased, one of the pioneer residents of Milwaukee, and for many years a well-known and prosperous butsi- ness man and prominent citizen of the Cream City, was a native of Illinois, born at Lacon, Marshall county, Jan. 24, 1844. He was the son of Denison Clisbee, a native of Vermont, and Helen (Smalley) Clisbee, who was born and reared in New Jersey. The father was a United States stage driver in Vermont for a number of years, when there were few railroads in that part of the country, and like so many New Englanders, followed the tide of western migration and located in Marshall county, Ill., where he took up land and begun farming, and here on his first homestead his only child was born. After clearing and breaking his land, Mr. Clisbee was able to dispose of it to advantage, and in 1850 came to Milwaukee. Three years later he bought the property on Ninth street, where his son's widow still lives. Denison Clisbee became associated with the F. F. Adams
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Tobacco Company, and for more than thirty years led an active business career. He became a trusted employee of this company and one of their successful and popular salesmen. Some years before his death, which occurred in 1884, he retired from business to enjoy a well-earned rest during the declining years of life. Oscar came to Milwaukee with his father in 1850 and received his scholastic train- ing in the public schools of the city, and when only seventeen years of age, at the outbreak of the War of Secession, responded to his country's call for volunteers and enlisted as a musician in Company G, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry, which was organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, and became known as the "Milwaukee Regiment." He was in the battle of Perryville, where the gallantry of the regi- ment was commended by the brigade commander; took part in the battle of Stone's River, where the regiment suffered considerably in killed and wounded, and participated in the battle of Chickamauga. The Milwaukee regiment took an important part in the storming of Missionary Ridge and soon after this Mr. Clisbee, with the other members of his regiment, was transferred to Georgia; they took part in the operations in front of Kenesaw mountain and were with General Thomas during his campaign through Tennessee and Alabama and fought with desperate gallantry at Franklin, the most severe engage- ment the regiment was in and practically saved the day. Mr. Clisbee was mustered out with the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., June 10, 1865. after four years of gallant service for his country, under the flag he loved. Returning to Milwaukee after the close of the war, Mr. Clisbee engaged in the grocery business in partnership with Charles Sircum, but disposed of his interest in the store within a few years and became a salesman. Subsequently he became associated with the F. F. Adams Tobacco Co., the firm his father was with so many years, and remained with it until his death, which occurred on Dec. 31, 1879. On June 23, 1870, Mr. Clisbee was united in marriage with Susan M., the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Reed) Leighly, residents of Manistee, Mich. Two children were born to them : Cora, the wife of Robert A. Miller, a prominent photographer of Milwaukee: and Denison, who is engaged in the blacksmith's trade. Mrs. Clisbee's parents were born in Ohio; her father was a cobbler by trade, but conducted a store and continued this vocation until he died in 1865. His wife survived him nearly twenty-two years and passed to her long rest in 1887. Mr. Leighly was an adherent of the Democratic party, though he never aspired to any political office. Both he and his wife weer members of the Lutheran church, in which they were willing workers. Mr. . Clisbee was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, whose numbers are thinning rapidly as the years pass. During his life he took an active interest in the principles of the Republican party and was one of its hearty supporters. Both he and his wife were members of St. James Episcopal church.
Charles D. Crane, a prominent architect of Milwaukee, was born at Johnson's Creek, Niagara county, N. Y .: July 6, 1850, the son of Moses L. and Susan P. (Chase) Crane, both natives of that state. The father was a descendant of Benjamin Crane, who came to the
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United States about 1654, settling at Wetherfield, Conn. Moses Crane was a grandson of Thankful Putnam, a descendant of John Putnam, who came to this country in 1620. John Putnam was the first of the name in America and the projenitor of Israel Putnam, well known in Revolutionary times. Moses Crane came west in 1853 and settled in the town of Spring Prairie, Wis., where he remained until 1863, when he removed to Burlington, Wis., where he engaged as a sales- man. He died at the age of forty-eight. Our subject received his primary instruction in the schools of Burlington, including the high school. His first position, when he started in life, was as clerk in a store till 1869. In 1871 he went to Chicago and from that city, on Dec. 26, 1874, he came to Milwaukee, where he entered the office of E. T. Nix, architect, remaining there twelve years. In 1888 he became a member of the firm of Crane & Barkhausen, architects, and this firm was dissolved a few years later. He is now, and for several years has been in business alone, having an extensive and lucrative patronage. On Jan. 10, 1884, he married Miss Belle M., daughter of Thomas K. and Margaret Parker, of Milwaukee, and their union has been blessed by one son, Stanley P., a bright and very promising young man, who is now engaged in the office with his father and gives ample promise that he is destined to a very successful career as an architect. In political principles our subject alligns himself with the Republican party, while in religious matters he is what is known as a liberal. He is a member of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Club, of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Royal Arcanum. Our subject is domestic in his tastes, being fond of his family and of his books, and to him, when the day's work is done, there is truly "no place like home."
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