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 63

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

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Pharmaceutical Association, the State Pharmaceutical Association, the National Association of Retail Druggists, the Germania, and the National Union.

Joel Hayman, deceased, for many years a prominent citizen and prosperous farmer of the town of Oak Creek, Milwaukee county, was born in the beautiful valley of the Taw, Devonshire, England, April 20, 1827. His parents were Joel and Mary (Old- rich) Hayman, who were also natives of England, born there in 1800 and 1803, respectively. They immigrated to the United States and located in Milwaukee county, when Wisconsin was a territory. They took up government land, cleared it and established their home. Janies, a brother of Joel Hayman, Sr., came to the county several years previous to 1836, and like his brother took up a considerable tract of government land and was accounted one of the wealthy farmers of the county at his death. Two children were born to Joel Hayman, Sr., and wife: Joel, Jr., and Mrs. Fred- erick Layton, who were reared on the farm in Oak Creek. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hayman were members of the Episcopal church in England, and after settling in Oak Creek, Mr. Hayman conducted services in a school house for many years, and with his wife was instrumental in establishing and organizing the first Episcopal church, in 1869. He passed to the far shore from which no traveler returns, Oct, 4, 1873, and was survived only a year by his devoted wife and helpmate, who had shared the hardships and suf- fering incidental to a life on the frontier. Joel, Jr., was given the advantages of scholastic training in the public schools of the town of Oak Creek; he learned the carpenter's trade and combined that vocation with farming. Upon his father's death he inherited the old homestead, and from time to time added to his farm until he had 160 acres of the best land in the town. Mr. Hayman was progres- sive, introduced the most modern methods of farming into the town and demonstrated that they paid. He was a Republican in politics and always took an active interest in the policies that affected the wel- fare of the country. He entered actively into the local govern- ment, was supervisor of the town of Oak Creek for seven terms, and held the responsible position of school treasurer for many years. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church and was one of the active workers in that organization all his life. Mr. Hay- man crossed the great divide after a life devoted to the interests ·of his fellow men, unselfish, kindly and loving, and his death was a distinct loss to the community where he had been a leader for so many years. On April 25, 1866, he was married to Grace Dawson, born in Cambridgeshire, England, Aug. 1, 1841, the daughter of James and Orpha (Layton) Dawson, both of whom were natives of England, born there on April 7, 1812, and July 16, 1812, respectively. They came to this country and located in Milwaukee in 1865, where Mr. Dawson followed his trade, that of carpenter. They reared a family of seven children, of whom two sons and three daughters are still living: Albert, Robert, Mrs. George Dickens, Mrs. Otto Streckenald, and the wife of our subject. Mr. Dawson

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was called from the cares of life on Feb. 3, 1875, and was survived by his widow, who died in 1882. Eight children were born on the hospitable old farm to Mr. and Mrs. Hayman: Elizabeth, Alfred, George (deceased), Grace, Joel, Mary, Robert, and Helen. During his life Mr. Hayman was a prominent member of the old Settlers' Club, and in no place was his loss more keenly felt.

John Schroeder, 504 Galena street, Milwaukee, was born in Hanover, Germany, Dec. 27, 1827, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cuhring) Schroeder, both natives of the same place. His father was a carpenter by trade and followed that vocation, both in his native land and after he came to the United States. He located in St. Louis, Mo., his death occurring about 1858. The son was educated in the Lutheran parochial schools of St. Louis, although his opportunities for intellectual improvement were lim- ited by the necessity of early assisting in his own support. He worked for a time as a teamster in St. Louis, removing in 1846 to Milwaukee, where for some years he followed the same occupation, and later forming a partnership with Mr. Seyfried in the lumber business. He continued as a partner in this firm for six years, and then inaugurated an independent branch, which he developed, until to-day he stands at the head of the lumber industry in the northern portion of the Middle West. He has a large saw-mill at Ashland and employs nearly 500 men in his mill and lumber yards. In politics Mr. Schroeder is allied with the Democratic party, and in religion with the St. John's Lutheran church. His large business concerns leave him comparatively little leisure for social life, but he enjoys the reunions of the original settlers of the city in the Old Settlers' Club, to which he belongs, and he also has member- ship in the social organizations connected with St. John's church. On March 4, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Luhring, daughter of Henry and Anna (Wintherst) Luhring, na- tives of Hanover, Germany, and their children are, in the order of their ages : Henry, William, Frederick, Louisa, Rose, Emma, Ernes- tine and Frida. Three of the daughters-Louise, Rose and Emma- are married, as are also two sons, William and Frederick. The last-named is in business with his father, as are also Henry and William. Although Mr. Schroeder is past eighty years of age he is still an active force in the commercial world. His life is typical of the opportunities which the last century offered to men who were capable, honest, and not afraid of work, and his closing years are. surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries to which by his years of strenuous attention to business he is justly entitled.

Charles E. Tegge, president and treasurer of the Tegge Lum- ber Company, and now residing at No. 786 Eleventh street, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Jan. 21, 1862, and is the son of Frederick and Sophia Tegge, both natives of the same place, the former born on Dec. 6, 1834, and the latter on March 3, 1837. The father came to the United State in 1867, remaining in Chicago for a short time, and then removed to Milwaukee, where he engaged in the lumber business until his retirement from active life in 1905-

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Charles E. attended the parochial schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the shoe-making trade, and he worked at this for four years. Deciding that other lines offered a more lucrative opening than that of his trade he pre- pared himself for business life by taking a course in Mayer's Com- mercial College, in which he was duly graduated. He then ac- cepted a position with the lumber firm of Hatch, Holbrook & Com- pany. In 1890 the firm was changed to Joseph Holbrook, and sub- sequently to Page & Landeck, Mr. Tegge serving as secretary and treasurer of the last-named firm for a period of three years. Upon the dissolution of the firm Mr. Tegge formed a new partnership with Mr. Schonberg, and in 1895 the firm was incorporated, the name remaining the same as before. In 1897 the father and son, Frederick and Charles E. Tegge, assumed the management of the business, the latter acting as president and treasurer of the com- pany. Although not active in political affairs, Mr. Tegge supports the Republican party ; his church membership is with the Emanuel Lutheran society, and although his numerous business duties do not leave him much time for social life or entertainment, yet his strongly musical tastes lead him to seek pleasure and diversion from the cares of commercial life in that line. He is a member of the Milwaukee Musical Society and also of the Acapplo Choir. Mr. Tegge's marriage to Miss Maria Zell, daughter of Frederick and Emily (Kujadh) Zell, of Milwaukee, occurred on Oct. 5, 1886, and to this union six children have been born, one of whom died in in- fancy. The others in the order of birth are Henry, Lydia, Ger- trude, Paul, and Carl.

August C. Beck, now at the head of one of the chief manufac- turing plants of the city, was born in Milwaukee, March 21, 1875. He acquired his education chiefly in the public schools of the city and was graduated in the East Side high school, later taking a course in the Spencerian Business College of the city. At the age of seventeen he entered the firm of C. A. Beck, Sons & Company, and worked his way through all of the departments until he became the owner and manager of the business. This he has developed to a high degree of efficiency. The chief product of the plant is the celebrated Diamond Steel Flooring. The firm also manufac- tures all kinds of packing boxes, which are particularly noted for the dove-tail construction. During the past few years the plant has been fitted up with the most modern machinery and appliances, one of the most important being the dove-tailing machine. Mr. Beck is also interested in the retail lumber business, and in all the lines connected with his business takes a front rank in the commercial circles of the city. He belongs to the Holy Rosary Catholic church, and in politics is independent. On Feb. 10, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Elsie M. Cudahy, daughter of Patrick and Anna (Madden) Cudahy, of Milwaukee. Their three children-Cath- erine, Pauline, and Robert-are aged respectively four and three years and one year.

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William Allen, deceased, was born at Cazenovia, N. Y., June 2, 1825, and was the son of Rufus and Betsey (Chandler) Allen. The father was interested in the tannery business in Cazenovia, which business he conducted for many years, and later, coming west with his son, George, settled in Milwaukee. William Allen was reared and educated in Cazenovia, where he acquired a practical and com- mercial education, after which he entered business with his father. In 1846 he came west and located in Milwaukee, and with money furnished him by his father he opened a leather store with E. P. Allis-who in later years became a great manufacturer-under the firm name of Allis & Allen. In 1851 the father and two sons, George and William, organized the Wisconsin Leather Company, and in a short time built up a large leather industry. They also started a large tannery at Two Rivers, Wis., and acquired a large tract of land covered mostly with hemlock timber. Subsequently Mr. Allen started a tannery on the south side of the Kinnickinnic river, making it one of the most important leather industries in the United States. On Jan. 20, 1883, Mr. Allen died and was buried in Forest Home. In later years, through depression in this line of business, the company dissolved, and the businesss of the firm went into the hands of Pfister & Vogel. Mr. Allen's life was devoted to his home and family, and he was also much interested in all lines of educational work. His pleasure he found chiefly in traveling ; every year, with his wife and family, he took a trip to Eastern points, and in 1881 made an extended trip through Europe. In politics he was Republican, and he belonged to the old Presbyterian church. He was a trustee of the church, the leader of the choir for a number of years, and a charter member and trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born seven children, namely : William R., June II, 1849; George C., Dec. II, 1850; Fanny B., April 26, 1854; Harry M., Oct. 15, 1855; Harriet F., Jan. 3, 1861 ; Edward B., Jan. II, 1872; Fred V., Feb. 22, 1875. Of these, three sons and one daughter reside at home. Mrs. Allen, whose maiden name was Emily Jane Curtis, is the daughter of Martin and Eliza (Hitchcock) Curtis, of Oswego, N. Y., and she was united in marriage to William Allen on July 5, 1848. Her family was among the earliest settlers of the Cream City, coming in 1839. Mrs. Allen is a woman of great refinement of character, a devoted wife and mother, and is now spending the afternoon of life in her beautiful home at 571 Van Buren street, Milwaukee.

William E. and Henry Trowbridge, respected brothers, living on the Trowbridge road, were both born in Milwaukee, the former on Nov. 15, 1841, and the latter on Sept. 29, 1848. They are both sons of William S. and Abigail C. (Richardson) Trowbridge, and the parents were both born in New Hartford, N. Y. The sons are direct descendants of the Trowbridges who came to America from England early in the Sixteenth century. The father received his educational advantages in the public schools of his native city and graduated at the University of New York with the degree of civil engineer. After graduation he became a railroad engineer and was

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engaged in the construction of the first railroad in New York state in 1834. Subsequently he removed to Chicago, and in his capacity as engineer made many trips into Wisconsin, as far north as Green Bay. Both the sons received the educational advantages afforded by the public schools of the vicinity. When William was but twenty years of age he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company B of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry for service in the Civil war. With his regiment he saw service at the battle of Perryville, and was in the fight at Stone's River under the gallant Gen. Philip Sheridan. During the campaign about Chattanooga he was en- gaged in the fights at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and at the final struggle on Missionary Ridge received a wound which tempo- rarily impaired his usefulness as a soldier. He was sent to Mil- waukee to recuperate, and while there was given a second lieuten- ancy in the Sixteenth Wisconsin, and in that capacity served with Company B until the cessation of hostilities. When he had re- ceived an honorable discharge he engaged in the manufacture of matches with Colonel Bingham. This industry occupied all his attention until 1868, when he migrated to Montana to engage in mining ventures. He remained there some four years, and in 1872 mover farther west to Nevada. There he stayed for seventeen years and then returned to Milwaukee to take charge of the farm, of which he has been the capable manager ever since. On June 25, 1902, William Trowbridge was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Childs, a daughter of Stephen and Harriet (Richardson) Childs, of New Hartford, N. Y. They have no children. Henry Trow- bridge was engaged in farm work until he was twenty-six years of age. He then entered the service of the government as a store- keeper, and held the position for seven years. Then for three and a half years more he was a gauger in the employ of the government. When he left the government employ it was to engage in farming. In 1901 Henry Trowbridge was stricken with paralysis and has since been an invalid, unable to participate in the active affairs of life. Both brothers are Republicans in their political views, but neither ever allowed his name to be used in connection with the candidacy for any public office. Although they do not belong to any church their lives have been exemplary and are well worthy of emulation.

Nicholas Zweifel, who has a national reputation as a grower of carnations, was born at North Milwaukee on Feb. 21, 1870. He is of direct Swiss descent, his parents, Henry and Regula (Stuessi) Zweifel, having both been born in Lintthal, Switzerland. In his youth the father followed agricultural pursuits in his native land, and after coming to this country in 1854, rented a farm near North Milwaukee. Having the natural Swiss liking for dairying he established a milk route, which he conducted for a number of years. Later he purchased a larger farm, which he worked until 1875. In that year, his wife's health failing, he returned with his family to Switzerland. Sixteen years later, in 1891, he again migrated to Milwaukee and has since been living a retired life with his daugh-

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ter, Mrs. William Bleck, at 897 Sixteenth street. The mother passed away in May, 1898, and her remains are interred in the Wanderer's Rest cemetery. In the family were three children. One son, Albert, died in Switzerland. Nicholas Zweifel, the sub- ject of this memoir, received his scholastic training in the public and high schools of Switzerland, whither his family had removed while he was but an infant. When he had completed his primary education he studied for two years at an agricultural school in that country, and when seventeen years of age started out to earn his living. For two years he worked in Berne, Switzerland, in the lead- ing floral establishment there. In 1889 he returned to Milwaukee and secured employment with William Edlefsen, with whom he remained some two years. Then he accepted a position as superin- tendent of a large greenhouse in Des Moines, Ia. In 1893, on again returning to Milwaukee, he embarked in the retail flower business at Fourteenth street and Groeling avenue. Being suc- cessful from the start, in eight years Mr. Zweifel was able to realize his ambition, and in 1901 purchased twelve acres of land in North Milwaukee and erected a large greenhouse establishment. The de- mands of the business have since made it necessary to make addi- tions to the greenhouses, which today contain over fifty thousand square feet of glass. Mr. Zweifel devotes himself exclusively to the growing of carnations, and has made himself an enviable reputa- tion in that line. At the recent National Flower Show in Chicago he was highly honored by receiving a goodly number of first class premiums for especially well-grown flowers, and also for new va- rieties of carnations. In politics he is a Republican, but has never aspired to public office. He is liberal in his religious views, not believing that the code of right living is influenced or directed by any creed or sect. Professionally he is identified with the Florists' Club, the Society of American Florists, and the American Carna- tion Society ; he is also a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias. On Oct. 28, 1901, Mr. Zweifel was united in marriage to Miss Johanna M. Ronneburger, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Gus- tav and Louise (Hanisch) Ronneburger. They have no children.

Bert Leslie Sayles .- The twentieth century is essentially that of the young business man, with his progressive methods and modern ideas. There is no better example of this than the subject of this sketch, Bert Sayles, who is a native of Wisconsin, born at Sayles- ville on Sept. 27, 1883, the son of Fred and Caroline (Brown) Sayles, both natives of the same place. His paternal great-great- grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, who fear- lessly faced the dangers of a new country and took up land in what was nearly an unbroken wilderness. On part of the land he re- claimed from the virgin forest, a town has sprung up, which was named for him and which is an honorable memorial to his name. The father of our subject was reared in the town where he was born and received his education at the public schools. He engaged in farming when he reached manhood's estate, and it was on this farm that Bert L. was born. Two of our subject's brothers and his

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sister remain with his mother on the old homestead in Waukesha county. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Saylesville until he was fifteen years of age, when he left school to help his father on the farm. A year later, in 1900, he came to Milwaukee and started to work for the Eureka Laundry Company. He had not been in the city long when he engaged in the commission business and continued in that line for two years. He then sold out his business and bought an interest in the Inde- pendent Laundry Company. The following year he was able to dispose of his interest in the laundry with profit and returned to the Eureka Company. Within about eighteen months Messrs. Sayles, Soderberg & Roach organized the Crown Laundry Com- pany, which has since been changed to the White Cloud Laundry, at 914 Winnebago street. They met with well deserved success in their chosen line and for eighteen months conducted a large con- cern. On Oct. 26, 1908, Mr. Soderberg withdrew, Mr. Roach hav- ing withdrawn about a year previously, and at present Mr. Sayles is conducting the business alone. Mr. Sayles is still young, but is recognized as one of the successful business men of the Cream City. He is a Republican in politics and a stanch supporter of the party. On Dec. 31, 1903, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sayles and Clara, the daughter of Elizabeth and Lewis Loose, of the town of Tippecanoe. They have two children: Grace, born Aug. 1, 1906, and Earl, born Aug. 8, 1907. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sayles are mem- bers of the Congregational church. Mr. Sayles is a domestic man and devotes his time to his family and business.

George Carl Soderberg, formerly one of the proprietors of the White Cloud Laundry at 914 Winnebago street, Milwaukee, was born at Christianstad, Sweden, on Sept. 11, 1874. He is a son of Carl and Johanna (Jonason) Soderberg, both natives of Sweden. The father received an excellent musical training in his native land and was professionally engaged all his life. In 1880, two years after the death of his wife, he came to America and located in Chicago, where for many years he was director of a large band and an instructor in clarinet and violin playing. His death oc- curred in 1898, and he left a daughter and two sons. George C. Soderberg, the subject of this review, received his educational ad- vantages in the common schools of his native land. When but fourteen years of age lie became apprenticed to a mason contractor, but stayed with him but a short time, leaving to serve an appren- ticeship as an iron moulder in a foundry. After he had mastered the vocation he worked as a journeyman in it, and thereby earned a sufficient competence to pay his passage to America in 1892. He arrived in Chicago on June 17 of that year and soon afterward se- cured employment in a shoe factory. Subsequently he went to work on the Chicago canal, and when he left the position he had with the construction company he became the employe of a laundry at 221 North Clark street in Chicago. During the four years in which he was employed in the establishment he thoroughly mastered every detail of the work, and then for a period found employment

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in other laundries in Chicago in order that he might become ac- quainted with every modern device used in the industry. On May 22, 1898, he came to Milwaukee to accept a position with the Do- mestic Laundry. He remained in this capacity until 1906, when in connection with B. L. Sayles and A. J. Roach the Crown Laundry Company was organized. In July, 1908, Mr. Roach retired and Mr. Soderberg, in connection with Bert L. Sayles, opened the White Cloud Laundry. Although the business had been estab- lished but a comparatively short time it had had a wonderful growth, due in large measure to Mr. Soderberg's traits of industry, thrift and scrupulous honesty. Mr. Soderberg withdrew on Oct. 26, 1908, leaving Mr. Sayles in charge of the business. Fraternally and socially Mr. Soderberg is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of For- esters and the Prudential Insurance Company. In political matters he is allied with the Republican party, but has never found leisure to devote to seeking public office. His religious views are Protestant and he is one of the devout worshipers in the Swedish Lutheran church. Mr. Soderberg has been twice married. On Aug. 10, 1899, occurred his marriage to Miss Ida Scholtz, of Milwaukee, who died on Jan. 22, 1903, leaving him two children: Elnora, born in 1900, and George, born Aug. 25, 1902. Mr. Soderberg's second wife was formerly Miss Ida, daughter of John and Minnie Wagenknecht, of Milwaukee.

Julius Kroscher, the genial and capable proprietor of the Carn- ival Laundry, was born in Milwaukee on April II, 1870. He is a son of Oswald and Fredericka (Jaloss) Kroscher, the former of whom was born at Frankfort and the latter in Mecklenberg, Ger- many. The father was a cabinet-maker in the old country and was very successful until his coming to America in 1854. For some time after coming to Milwaukee he was engaged in the same voca- tion and then learned the carpenter's trade. As a journeyman in the latter trade he worked for many years for the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway Company. In 1888 he retired from active participation in the field of work and has since been enjoying a well-earned respite from the strenuous duties of a busy career. Although now eighty years of age he retains to a wonderful de- gree the possession of all his physical and mental faculties. The mother, now seventy-six years of age, is also hearty and well. The father was a pioneer settler of the city and was one of the men who enlisted to fill the last of Wisconsin's quota for the Civil war, his service extending through 1865. Of the seven children born to the parents six survive. Julius Kroscher, the subject of this review, received all his educational advantages in the public schools of Mil- waukce. When but fourteen years of age he entered the employ of the T. A. Chapman Company as a cash boy, and won promotion through the various departments until, when he resigned in 1898, he held the responsible position of receiving clerk for the firm. In the year above named he established the Carnival Laundry on a small scale, at the corner of Fond du Lac avenue and Nineteenth

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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 63

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