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 40
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Rev. Winfred D. Cox, of 281 Pleasant street, Milwaukee, chair- man of the Prohibition State Central Committee, was born at Monroe, W. Va., Feb. 12, 1858, the son of Jonathan and Nancy R. (Magann) Cox, both natives of the same state. He was one of a small family of two boys and one girl. His father was a prosperous farmer before the Civil war, and upon the outbreak of the Rebellion, enlisted from Monroe county as a private in one of the West Virginia regiments. His name appears on the army rolls as missing, and he is supposed to have been killed in battle. Young Winfred, despite the early age at which he was rendered an orphan, managed to obtain an excellent education. After attending the district schools of the locality in which he lived, he went to college and graduated therefrom. In the year 1877 he became a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., and later he pursued a two years' course at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., where he fitted himself for the Methodist ministry. He was given his first charge at Oconto Falls in 1881, going thence to Oconto, Wis., and later holding charges at several other small towns in the state. He finally came to Milwaukee, where he assumed the pastorate of the Kingsley Methodist church, corner of Twenty-ninth and Brown streets. By reason of the failing health of his wife, he was obliged to abandon the ministry. He had long taken a strong interest in the cause of prohibition, and in the year
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1906 he was elected chairman of the Prohibition State Central Com- mittee of Wisconsin, in which capacity he has since served. He is a hard worker and an excellent organizer, and under his efficient management, the prohibition cause has assumed a dignity and im- portance it never had before. His labors in this field have rendered his name a familiar word throughout the state, and he firmly believes that the principles of his party will ultimately be found in the ascend- ancy. Meanwhile he is giving his heart and soul to his work, and leaves no stone unturned to advance the cause in which he is so vitally interested. Mr. Cox is a member of the Wisconsin Conference of Methodist preachers, and takes an active interest in the work of the Good Templars, of which he is one of the most active members. He was united in marriage on Dec. 21, 1881, to Elizabeth G., daughter of William Simmons, a native of England, and three sons are the fruit of this union: Winfred, the eldest, born in 1883; William L., born in 1886, and Harold L., born in 1891. Mr. Cox is a fine conversa- tionalist, and a most effective public speaker. His tastes are scholarly, and he possesses a mind of unusual force and vigor, enriched by a wide experience with men and affairs as well as by constant study and reading. He is devoted to his family, and his home life has been pure and sweet, with a prevailing atmosphere of love and effection. Mr. Cox is still a comparatively young man, and should have many years of usefulness before him. On June 13, 1908, at a convention held in Milwaukee by the Prohibition party, Mr. Cox was nominated on his party's ticket for the office of Governor of Wisconsin. He made an active campaign of the state, speaking several times in each county, and received a very flattering support at the polls.
George Dickens, deceased. a prominent business man of Mil- waukee, and for many years identified with the well-known Layton Company, pork and beef packers, was born at Utica, N. Y., on Feb. II, 1827. the son of Simon and Acenath (Allen) Dickens, the former of whom was a native of Bedford, England. and the latter a native of the state of New York. Simon came to the United States early in the last century and settled at Utica, N. Y., where he worked at his trade of cabinet maker. He was a second cousin of the celebrated English novelist, Charles Dickens. He met and married his wife in New York state, and subsequently moved with his family to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade for a number of years, finally coming to Milwaukee in the early sixties. He reared a large family of eight children, named as follows: Allen ; George, the subject of this sketch; Simon, Samuel. Mary, Sophia, Hanna and Henrietta. Our subject received his education in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1843 came to Milwaukee, followed later by his parents who moved to the Cream City about 1870. Here he began to make his own living, and was first employed by a Mr. Mitchell. Some time later he entered the employ of Frederick Layton, packer, and was afterwards taken into the firm as one of the partrers. He maintained an active association with this prosperous concern up to the time of his death, which took place on Aug. 14, 1900, at Milwaukee. ITis remains now rest in Forest Home cemetery.
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After the formation of the Republican party, he adopted its principles for his own, and remained a consistent Republican ever after. He was, however, absorbed in his business, and took little active part in political matters, though he did his full duty as a citizen. He was a faithful member of St. James Episcopal church, and always sup- ported it in its good works with a generous hand. He was a promi- nent member of the Old Pioneer Club, and a frequent attendant on its meetings. He was united in marriage on Nov. 23, 1848, to Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Orpah ( Layton) Dawson, of England, and six children are the fruit of this union: John, born Oct. 31, 1851 ; Gertrude, Aug. 26, 1861 ; William, Sept. 4, 1863; Charles Fred- erick, Nov. 3. 1865; James Layton, Oct. 18, 1867; and Sadie, born March 27, 1875. Mrs. Dickens still survives her husband, and resides at the old home. 1320 Grand avenue, Milwaukee. Mr. Dickens was a shrewd and successful business man, and was devoted to his wife and children. He always found his chief solace and comfort away from the cares of business, within the home circle. He was known as one of Milwaukee's substantial business men, and did his full share in the material upbuilding and advancement of the city.
George B. Goodwin, deceased, who practiced with distinction for many years at the bar of Milwaukee, was born at MIt. Morris, Livingston county. N. Y., on Dec. 18, 1834, the son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Albright) Goodwin, who were likewise natives of the Em- pire State. His father was given only a limited opportunity to obtain an education in his boyhood, as he was early thrown on his own resources, and learned the carriage maker's trade at Mt. Morris, N. Y. In the year 1860 he came west to Milwaukee, but only lived a short while after his arrival here. Our subject, George B., is the second child in a large family of nine children. He received his early educa- tion in the public schools at Mt. Morris, N. Y., and afterward pursued the full collegiate course at Genesee College, now Syracuse Univer- sity, graduating therein with the class of 1854. He was subsequently the recipient of the honorary degree of A. M. from Williams College. .After completing his college course, Mr. Goodwin made choice of the law as a profession, and took the law course at the Albany Law School. After being admitted to the bar, he came west to Wisconsin and opened an office at Menasha, and was there engaged in the successful practice of his profession for a period of about six years. Mr. Goodwin was one of the honored veterans of the Civil war. He organized the Forty-first Wisconsin infantry in Menasha, during May and June. 1864, and went out as its lieutenant-colonel. This regi- ment was the third and last of the 100-day regiments sent from Wis- consin, and having a numerical strength of only 578 it never had a colonel. The command left for the front on June 15. 1864, proceed- ing to Memphis, Tenn., where it was attached to the Second brigade, District of Memphis, and was assigned to train-guard duty, and also formed part of the garrison of the city. Lieutenant-Colonel Goodwin and his command participated in the fight with Forrest's cavalry during the latter's raid on Aug. 21, 1864, and after the conclusion of the skirmish the Forty-first joined in the pursuit of the enemy.
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Col. Goodwin was mustered out with his command at Camp Washburn in September. After the close of the war, Mr. Goodwin came to Milwaukee and there engaged in the practice of his profession. He was appointed by President Grant internal revenue collector for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and after a service of two years in that capacity, he again returned to private life and resumed his practice. He was recognized as one of the ablest and most successful lawyers in the city, and he continued in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice up to the time of his death, on May 1, 1886. His remains now rest in Forest Home cemetery. Col. Goodwin was an ardent Republican in his political principles, and was prominent in the coun- cils of his party. He was an attendant of the Episcopal church, and one of its most liberal and zealous supporters. He was a member of the Masonic Order, in which he had attained to the Knights Tem- plar degree. On April 28, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Decker, of Livonia, N. Y., a daughter of Henry and Martha (Mather) Decker. To Colonel and Mrs. Goodwin were born three sons and two daughters: Henry, born April 12, 1859; Martha, Nov. 27, 1860; Alida, Aug. 17, 1865 ; Clinton, deceased, Sept. 14, 1869; and George B., May 1I, 1874. All of the living children, together with their widowed mother, now make their home in Milwaukee.
William E. Priestley, of 500 Greenbush street, Milwaukee, is a native of Middlesex, Ontario, where he was born on June 25, 1853. He is the son of James E. and Sally Alice (Field) Priestley, both natives of Bradford, England. the former born in December, 1815, and the latter on May 25 of the same year. The father, while living in England, was a manufacturer of woolen goods, and removed to Russia, where he was engaged in the same business, the goods being for the use of the Russian government. After remaining there for five years he immigrated to Middlesex, Ont., where he engaged in mercantile business for a few years, and later went into general farming, which he run in connection with his store. In 1877 Mrs. Priestley died, and the father with his family of four sons and two daughters, returned to England. In 1891 they again removed to Canada, and Mr. Priestley died in the old home in Middlesex. William E. was first educated in the common schools of Middlesex, after which he entered the college at London, Ontario, where he was graduated in 1878. He began his business life by opening a general store in the village of Alisa Craig, Ontario, where he remained for two years. In 188I he came to the United States and located at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he was put in charge of a dry-goods store by the proprietor, A. J. Arthur, and he managed it for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Alisa Craig, Ontario, where he again went into business as a partner in the firm of Mckay & Priestley. Two years later he located in Oshkosh, Wis., and was traveling agent for R. McMillan & Co., manufacturers of sash, doors, and blinds, and during the four years that he was with this firm he traveled through every state in the Union. Coming to Milwaukee in 1890, he was employed by Sanger, Rockwell & Co., for three years, and then went into busi- ness for himself. He is a successful business man and does a large
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jobbing business. In politics he is a Republican, but the duties of his commercial life leave him little leisure for active participation in political affairs. He is a member of the Methodist church and belongs also to the fraternal organizations of the Free Masons and Odd Fel- lows, and to the commercial organization of the Lumber Association. On Jan. 18, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Grace Maria Wood, daughter of Wesley and Ann ( Bullis) Wood, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Their only son, Glenn W., is nineteen years of age and at present a student in the University of Wisconsin.
John J. Chrzanowski, the managing editor of the Kuryer Polski, is recognized as one of the leading newspaper men in the Cream City. He is a native of Poland, born May 24, 1868, in the valley of the Vistula, at Warsaw, the capital of Poland before its partition. It was here that Kosciusko held the combined armies of Russia and Prussia at bay for two months in 1794. With his defeat the fate of Poland was sealed. John J. Chrzanowski is the son of Joseph and Helen (Grudzien) Chrzanowski, who immigrated to the United States in 1876. The elder Chrzanowski was engaged in various occupations for fifteen years, and in 1891 located in Chicago, where he lived until his death in 1906, at the age of seventy-eight years. During his life he reared three children : Anthony, who is a dentist in Chicago, promi- nent in his profession, located at 179 West Division street at the corner of Milwaukee avenue; Mary, the widow of Leo Wild, of Chi- cago, and John J., the subject of this review, who was reared to man- hood in his native city, Warsaw, and educated in the public and government high schools. He came to the United States in 1886, locating in New York city, and in 1890 entered the College of Phys- icians and Surgeons of that city, where he remained three years, but did not graduate, as he gave up the study of medicine to enter the newspaper profession as editor of the Kuryer New Yorski, and re- mained with that paper two years, when he resigned to become secre- tary of the weekly paper Zyoda, Polish National Alliance, and held that position two years. In 1897 he accepted the editorship of the Dziennik Narodowy, a Polish daily of Chicago, with which he was connected four years. In 1901 he left Chicago to accept a better offer in Milwau- kee, where he has since been associated with the Kuryer Polski, three years as city editor and four years as managing editor. In 1898 Mr. Chrzanowski was united in marriage to a daughter of Stanislaus Lu- bowiecki, of Chicago, and now a resident of Warsaw, S. D. He and his wife are members of St. Kasimir's Polish Catholic church and Mr. Chrzanowski is a member of the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Singers and Polish Turners societies. He takes an active interest in politics, belongs to the Republican party and goes on the stump every four years in its interest. He is an able speaker and well-known throughout the state. He is one of the prominent figures in newspaper circles and one. of the popular members of the newspaper fraternity.
Michael J. Kurzawa, Ph. G., one of the well-known druggists of Milwaukee, who owns a store at 862 Muskego avenue, is a native of the province of Posen, German Poland, born Dec. 28, 1883, being the son of Jacob and Antoinetta (Volarski) Kurzawa, who immigrated
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to the United States. They landed in March, 1884, and selected Mil- waukee as their future home, where the father found employment for a time in the West Milwaukee railroad shops, but within a short time engaged in the saloon business and continued in that vocation for eight years. He died on Dec. 13, 1906, at the age of forty-nine years, leaving a widow and three children: Michael J., Stella and Pauline. Michael was only three months old when his parents came to this country and was reared in Milwaukee where he attended the parochial and public schools. At the age of sixteen he entered the drug store owned by Anton Tomkiewiez and worked six months, and then entered the employ of J. W. S. Tomkiewiez, for whom he worked five years. He took the state pharmacy examination and passed it, in 1903, as assistant pharmacist, and occupied that position in various drug stores of the city, and in April, 1907, took the state pharmacy examination and passed as registered pharmacist. From that time he did general relief work until November, 1907, when he embarked in business for himself. Mr. Kurzawa has met with marked success at his present location and conducts one of the finest drug stores in that part of the city. He is a member of the National Asso- ciation of Retail Druggists, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Polish National Alliance, Moruieszko Singing Society and is a member of St. Vincent's Polish Catholic church.
Joseph T. Stollenwerk, one of the progressive business men of the South side of Milwaukee, and the junior member of the well- known firm of Stollenwerk Bros., hardware dealers at No. 938 Kinnic- kinnic avenue, has been a successful merchant for the past sixteen years. He is the son of Joseph A. and Mary (Schummel) Stollen- werk, natives of that part of Germany so loved, the Rhine country. The father came to America with his parents in 1846 and was reared on the family homestead at New Coeln, town of Lake, Milwaukee county, where he lived until he retired from farming, in 1890, and went to Milwaukee to live. Joseph, born Feb. 14, 1869, was one of the fourteen children who received their training and schooling on his father's farm; ten of the children are living and have become prominent citizens of Milwaukee. Until fifteen years of age, Joseph remained on the old homestead with his parents and attended the parochial school at New Coeln, then went to Milwaukee to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for some time before he entered the employ of August Heimes, who ran a hardware store at 961 Kin- nickinnic avenue. Mr. Stollenwerk remained in this business until he had thoroughly mastered it as a paid employe, then formed a part- nership with his brother Nicholas and went into the hardware busi- ness for himself, under the firm name of Stollenwerk Bros., in 1892. Their business has increased, and to-day they have the leading hard- ware business in that vicinity. On Sept. 27. 1892, Mr. Stollenwerk was married to Caroline, the daughter of Jacob and Caroline ( Sching- sing) Reisch, of Milwaukee; they have six children: Clara, Henry, Loinz, Marguerite, Hildegarde, and Richard. Mr. Stollenwerk and the members of his family belong to the congregation of St. Augustin's Roman Catholic church ; he is also a member of the St. Peter Society,
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the St. Pius Society, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Family Protective Association. In politics he is a Democrat.
Stanislaw J. Lempicki, the owner, president and manager of the Polish Theater Company, associate editor of the Kuryer Polski, and editor-in-chief of Kurver Ilustrowany, the first Polish monthly, illus- trated magazine in the United States, was born in Zarki, Russian Poland, on July 15, 1880, a son of Teofil and Eva (Lugowska) Lem- picki. He was educated and grew to manhood in his native land, getting his scholastic training in technical and engineering schools. When he had attained his majority he came to the United States, locating first in Kansas City. His residence there continued for a year and a half, and being ambitious to learn the commercial side of American life he attended the Vrooman Business College. In 1902 he removed to Chicago and for a year was one of the editors of the Polish newspaper, Gazeta Polska. The three years immediately fol- lowing he spent as a bookkeeper for a Polish publication in Chicago. During this time he had leisure to do much research work and in 1906 edited and published "The History of the Polish Young Men's Alli- ance in America," and a play in three acts entitled "Surmy," which in English is "Trumpets." That same year he came to Milwaukee and became identified with the Kuryer Polski as city editor. Since that time he has become one of the editors. With several other lead- ing men of his nationality he founded the Polish Theater Company, which has had a very successful existence. He is a devout com- municant of St. Josephat's Polish Catholic church, and in July, 1907. was one of the organizers of Branch No. 4 of the Polish Young Men's Alliance. Mr. Lempicki's marriage to Miss Pearl Krygier, daughter of Andrew Krygier, of Steven's Point, Wis., occurred on July 6, 1908. Mr. Lempicki is popular and is recognized as one of the most enterprising young men of the city.
Casimir Zychlinski, the manager of the Weekly Department of the Kurver Publishing Co., of Milwaukee, is a native of Posen, German Poland, where he was born on Feb. 24, 1860. He is the son of Joseph and Magdalena (Dybizbanski) Zychlinski, who immigrated to the United States in 1877 and located in New York city, where they remained two years before moving west and settling in Chicago. where the mother still resides. The father died in Milwaukee in 1907, aged eighty-six years, leaving a family of four children : Casi- mir ; Wladislawa, wife of John Misiewicz; Valentine, and Josephine. the wife of Alphonse Dziadul. Casimir was seventeen years of age when his parents came to America, and had already had the advan- tages of an education in his native country, where he attended the high schools. When the family settled in New York city, in 1877, he studied electricity and soon became an electrician, following this profession for five years with much success. He moved to Chicago in 1883 and established himself in the coal business on his own account, conducting one of the large coal yards there for two years. His interest was in electricity, however, and he again turned to that profession, following it until 1900, when he went to Grand Rapids. Mich., for a year. Returning to Chicago in 1901, he remained for
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three years, in 1906 took up his residence in Milwaukee, and since that time has held different positions with the Kuryer Publishing Co. At present he holds the responsible position of manager of the Weekly Department. Mr. Zychlinski was married in 1884, to Helen, daughter of John and Mary Schonick, of Poland. They have had five children : Witold, Zbigniewa, Bohdana, Leszek, and Janina. Mr. Zychlinski is a member of the Polish National Alliance of America, of which he is one of the oldest members; of the Polish Sokol Alliance, of which he was one of the organizers and first president ; of the Polish Literary Society ; and he is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is associated with the Republican party.
John Gawin is the proprietor of Gawin Bros.' hardware store, 709-1I Windlake avenue, one of the most important hardware estab- lishments on the South side. He is a native of Milwaukee, son of John and Appolonia (Martin) Gawin, both of whom were of Polish birth. John Gawin, senior, came to Milwaukee from Poland in 1869 and was employed by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad as foreman of a section gang of painters. In this occupation he remained some years, and upon leaving it engaged in the hardware business on the South side with his brother-in-law. The firm was known as Gawin Bros., and until his death, Jan. 18, 1908, Mr. Gawin continued this business with marked success and built up a large and profitable trade. He left a family of six children: Stacey, who mar- ried Lawrence Gizella; Mary, Lena, John, Catherine, and Henry. John Gawin, the subject of this sketch, was born in Milwaukee, Oct. 25, 1886, attended both public and parochial schools, graduated. from Marquette College, and entered the employ of his father, to whose business he has succeeded. He became thoroughly conversant with all the details of the hardware business under his father's instruction and carries a complete and up-to-date stock of all kinds of hardware. Mr. Gawin is a young man of absolute integrity and honest busi- ness principles and merits a continuance of the confidence which the house enjoyed during the life of his father. The family are devout members of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. Mr. Gawin belongs to the Polish National Alliance and to the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He adheres loyally to the principles of the Demo- cratic party and takes an active interest in the political questions of the day.
Frank B. Kuczynski, the successful plumber of 572 Mitchell street, Milwaukee, is a native of the Cream City, born on April 14, 1876, a son of Martin and Victoria (Zienteck) Kuczynski, natives of Poland and Polish pioneers of Milwaukee, where they settled in the carly sixties. The father has been engaged in farming for thirty years or more in Milwaukee county, and in the town of Greenfield for twenty years, where he has a twenty-acre tract. His family consists of nine children : Ignatius, Peter. Frank B., Louis, Mary, Helen, Leo, Joseph and Martin. Our subject was reared in Milwaukee and edu- cated in the parochial and public schools. In the spring of 1898 he enlisted in the Spanish-American war as a private of Company K, First Wisconsin infantry, and was sent to Jacksonville, Fla., with his regi-
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ment, but was dicharged after four months and eighteen days of service. For four months thereafter he was cook for a construction gang on an extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. In 1899 he re-enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth United States infan- trv. at Langdon N. D., was drilled in military tactics, at Fort Snelling. Minn., and in San Francisco, Cal., for two months, when he went with his company to the Hawaiian Islands and from there direct to Manila, Philippine Islands, where he took part in nineteen battles and skirmishes. He was wounded in the discharge of his duty while signaling from a shack to a detachment of his regiment on Dec. 25, 1900, and was compelled to remain in the hospital at Passaco, Southern Luzon, for three months. He was honorably discharged with his regiment at Presidio, Cal., in 1901, after serving two and one- half years. He again returned to his trade as a cook, and in 1902 he began his apprenticeship as a plumber with C. J. Meyer, at Duluth, Minn., remaining there for one year and finishing his trade at Minne- apolis in 1905. In May, 1907, he began business for himself in Minne- apolis, and so continued until August of the same year, when he sold out and located in Milwaukee in the plumbing business, where he is meeting with success. On Nov. 14, 1905, he married Miss Jose- phine, daughter of Victor and Julianna Wudkiewicz, of Poland, their issue being two children, Victor and Theodore. Himself and family are members of the St. Hyacinth's Polish Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the Royal League. Mr. Kuczynski is a good tradesman who takes pride in his work and is a law-abiding citizen.
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