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 64

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

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street. During the four years in which he remained at that loca- tion the business prospered to such an extent that he was enabled to erect the building which he now occupies at 1832 Fond du Lac avenue. Since that time his patronage has increased immensely, due in large measure to the quality of work turned out by the laun- dry, and Mr. Kroscher now employs sixteen people in the conduct of his business. His standing among his fellow laundrymen may best be judged by the fact that he is the present incumbent of the office of vice-president of the Laundrymen's Club. In his political belief he is a stanch adherent of the policies of the Republican party, but has never aspired to hold public office. He is a Protestant in his religious views and is enrolled as a member of the Plymouth Congregational church. On Oct. 30, 1893, occurred Mr. Kros- cher's marriage to Miss Gertrude J. Mentink, a daughter of John W. and Martha (Cooper) Mentink, of Watertown, Wis. Two sons have been the issue of this union: Ralph M., born Feb. 14, 1895, and William C., born Oct. 19, 1897.

Charles Haubert, retired, a respected and substantial citizen of the town of Lake, was born in Germany, on Nov. 10, 1830, a son of Joseph and Anna (Hoffman) Haubert. Both parents were born in the Fatherland, the father at Oldenburg and the mother in the province of Prussia. The father was reared in his native land, and when he had attained his majority he served an apprenticeship as a harness-maker, a trade which furnished him a livelihood until he came to America in 1857. He made his way directly to Milwaukee, where he again found employment in his vocation for some years. Subsequently he removed to Whitewater, Wis., where he passed away several years later at an advanced age. In his earlier life he served in the army of Napoleon. Charles Haubert is the eldest of a large family of children born to his parents. He received a fine education in the public schools of his native country and for a time was engaged in a course of study in preparation for holy orders. Lack of funds, however, necessitated the abandonment of his ideal and he took up life with courage. From his father he learned to be a master harness-maker, and was thus engaged at the time he determined to migrate to America to seek his fortune. He arrived in Milwaukee in September, 1848, and secured employment at his trade in various shops in the small city. During this period of his life he worked for different lengths of time in Detroit, Mich., and Buffalo, N. Y., returning to Milwaukee from the latter place. Up to the time of his father's death he had no other occupation than his trade, and then, when the homestead was divided, he moved onto the farm and has since resided there. For many years he was actively engaged in the conduct of it, but in late years has practically retired from the personal supervision of it, and it is now managed and conducted by his sons. In his political belief Mr. Haubert is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, but the only office which he has ever held has been that of school clerk of the town of Lake. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is today a devout communicant of the church of

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that denomination. On Oct. 27, 1857, occurred Hr. Haubert's mar- riage to Miss Barbara Guttmann, a daughter of George and Cath- erine (Curee) Guttman, of Milwaukee. A large family of children have been the issue of this union, three of whom-Joseph, Adam, and Mary-are deceased. George, the eldest, lives in North Da- kota ; Catherine is married and lives in Milwaukee, as does Barbara, who is also married; Anna lives at home; John, Frank and Peter now manage the farm; and Henry, who is married, lives in Mil- waukee.

John Burmeister, who conducts a modern and flourishing mar- ket-gardening business on the Chicago road, in the town of Lake, was born in Milwaukee on March 27, 1872. He is a son of John and Sophia Burmeister, both of whom were born in Germany. The father learned the art of gardening and was successfully engaged in it until 1870. In that year he came direct to Milwaukee from the Fatherland and embarked in the dairy business in the town of Lake. Taking advantage of the better opportunities afforded by market gardening, he discontinued his dairy and thereafter, until the time of his retirement in 1896, devoted himself exclusively to gardening. His wife passed away in 1895, and he is now enjoying a well-earned respite from hard labor at his home on the Howell road. John Burmeister, the subject of this review, received excellent early educational advantages in the old Burdick school in the town of Lake, a German Lutheran parochial school, and the Eleventh dis- trict school of Milwaukee. When but fifteen years of age he left school to learn the art of gardening under the preceptorship of his father, the greenhouse which the latter owned being one of the first erected in the town of Lake. He was actively engaged in assist- ing his father up to the time of his marriage and then entered busi- ness for himself on the Howell road. He was so successful that he disposed of this place by sale and purchased a larger place on the Chicago road, where he is now engaged. His produce, consisting chiefly of hot-house vegetables, he sells to Milwaukee commission houses. In his political views Mr. Burmeister is allied with the Republican party, but aside from judiciously exercising his right of suffrage he takes little interest in politics. On June 16, 1895, Mr. Burmeister was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Shimunok, a daughter of John and Mary Shimunok of Milwaukee. To this union were born, on July 16, 1896, a son, Harry ; on Oct. 12, 1899, a daughter, Edessa ; and on May 12, 1908, another daughter, Viola.

William W. Thompson, one of the oldest and most respected gardeners and florists of the town of Lake, was born at Woodstock, Vt., on March 13, 1832. He is a son of Jared and Minerva (Hay- den) Thompson, both of whom were natives of Connecticut and who removed to Vermont shortly after their marriage. In the lat- ter state the father was interested in the manufacture of combs, and subsequently was engaged as a shoemaker. In 1838 he brought his family west and located in the town of Lake, Milwaukee county, engaging in general farming. He was one of the pioneers of the town and a prominent figure among the early settlers, for many

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years acting as local preacher at the Sunday services held by the people. Of the ten children born to the parents, four are deceased. Both parents are dead, and their remains are interred in the ceme- tery known as Thompson's cemetery, which the father donated to the town. All the educational advantages which William W. Thomp- son, the subject of this review, received, were those afforded by the log schoolhouse of the Thompson district in the town of Lake. When eighteen years of age he left school and became a traveling representative in the western part of the state for a Milwaukee firm for four years. At the end of that time the California gold-fever had swept the country and Mr. Thompson determined to seek his fortune in the far west. After four years of privation and suffering in that region he returned to Milwaukee and joined his father in agricultural pursuits. A year later he entered the employ of his brother on a farm adjoining the father's. He was elected constable of the town, and when his term expired he again left the state, going this time to Missouri. There he was successfully engaged until the outbreak of hostilities of the Civil war, and when he had returned to Milwaukee he enlisted, on Aug. 4, 1862, as a private in Company K of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry. With his regiment he participated in the battle of Perryville on Oct. 8, 1862, and his valorous conduct in that battle won him a promotion to sergeant. The exposure and hardship incident to the campaigns impaired his health, and on Feb. 17, 1863, he received an honorable discharge from the service. He again returned to Milwaukee and assisted his father for a time, and then leased the place of his father. After a year he purchased a twenty-acre tract near Cudahy, and for four years conducted it as a market garden. When he sold at the end of that period he removed to Chicago, where for a year he was engaged in the realty business with his brother Julius. Living within the limits of the city was not congenial to him, however, and he traded some of his Chicago holdings for the twenty-six acres in Milwaukee county upon which he now resides. Up to 1892 he did a general farming business, and then built a large greenhouse, where he now raises vegetables, flowers and hot-house plants. Al- though seventy-six years of age he still retains the active manage- ment of the property, being assisted by his sons. Although Mr. Thompson has strong Republican proclivities he does not allow his party fealty to influence his better judgment in the exercise of his right of franchise. He is extremely liberal in his religious views, not believing that the blind following of creed influences the standard of right living. On March 10, 1857, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Kettner, a daughter of Daniel and Abigail Kettner, of Milwaukee. Seven children were born to bless this union, of whom three-Lewis, Ellen, and Francis-are deceased. William and Fred assist their father and Charles owns a place of his own. Hattie Brazec Thompson, only daughter, re- sides at Lyons, Wis. Mr. Thompson's only fraternal relations are with Wolcott post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

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Victor Schuerbrock, one of the prominent farmers of the town of Lake, who has materially aided in the development of Milwau- kee county, is the descendant of a long line of sturdy Germans. He was born in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, April 29, 1836, the son of Anthony and Mary (Schutte) Schuerbrock, both natives of the same place. His father was reared and educated in Ger- many, and after leaving school became a farmer and followed that vocation until he immigrated to America in 1843. The family reached this country in the fall of that year and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father contracted typhoid fever and within six weeks died, leaving his wife and three children alone in a new coun- try. The mother assumed the responsibilities of both parents and reared her two sons and daughter. In 1872 the cares of life were lifted from her shoulders and she was laid peacefully away. Victor, our subject, and the only one of the children who is still alive, was educated in the Catholic schools of Cincinnati, and at the age of twelve left school to work on a farm near the Queen City. Four years later, with his mother, he moved to Milwaukee, where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for thirty years. Mr. Schuerbrock was a skilled workman and was interested in the building of many of the large churches and fine residences of the Cream City, and was one of the men who built the ill-fated Newhall House, in the burning of which so many people lost their lives. Mr. Schuerbrock had always liked the country and farming. He saved his earnings, and in 1862 invested his capital in a farm in the town of Lake, where he has continued to reside ever since. In July, 1864, Mr. Schuerbrock responded to Lincoln's call for volunteers and enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventeenth Wisconsin infan- try. With the other members of the regiment he took part in the battles around Atlanta under General Sherman, including the actions at Jonesboro and Lovejoy's Station. He was with Sherman on his famous march from Atlanta to the sea and up through the Caro- linas, and performed gallant service at Savannah, Columbia, and Bentonville. After Johnston's surrender this regiment participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C., was mustered out on July 14, 1865, and soon after disbanded in Wisconsin. Mr. Schuer- brock served most gallantly and was honorably discharged. After the close of the war he returned to his home and family. He is a Democrat, and while he takes a deep interest in politics has never sought public office. On May 10, 1859, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Schuerbrock and Barbara, the daughter of Peter and Margaret (Schoenhofer) Schommer, who lived in Milwaukee coun- ty. The following children came to bless this union : Ida, the wife of John Koenig, of the town of Lake; Catharine, living at home ; Jeanette, at home ; andEmily, Elnora, Adolph, Anna, Henry are all dead. Mr. Schuerbrock and his family are all devout Catholics and members of the church.

Frank Schuster .- The life history of the subject of this biog- raphical sketch illustrates most forcibly that neither wealth nor the assistance of influential friends at the start is essential to suc-

BIOGRAPHICAL

cess and usefulness in the world. Frank Schuster, one of the prom- inent and prosperous farmers of the town of Lake, is a native of the Badger State, born in the town of Lake, Milwaukee county, Aug. 28, 1860, being the son of Joseph and Myra (Fishler) Schu- ster, who were born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1811 and 1815, re- spectively. Joseph Schuster was a farmer in his native land, but was ambitious and came to the new world with the great tide of immigrants who came to Wisconsin about the middle of the nine- teenth century, and materially aided in the development of this great state. He landed in this country in 1842 and came directly to Wisconsin, locating at Bay View, where he was engaged in vari- ous occupations for a short time. Subsequently he secured a posi- tion as stationary engineer for the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- road, and gave thirty-seven years of faithful service to that com- pany. In 1879 he left the employ of the railroad company and moved to a farm, which he had bought while working in the shops. The farm was situated on the old Chicago road, near the present town of Cudahy. Mr. Schuster conducted his farm until he was called to his last rest in May, 1892. He was survived by his widow, who was laid to rest beside him in the St. Francis cemetery, May 3, 1907. They left a family of six children, five boys and one girl, of whom only Mrs. Anna Frederick, if Milwaukee, and our subject are still living. Frank received his early scholastic training in a little school on South Bay street, taught by Miss Esterbrook, sub- sequently he attended the public and Holy Trinity schools, but he stopped his studies at the age of fourteen and went to work, carry- ing water for a gravel train crew at one dollar a day. Three years later he went home to his father's farm to assist him in the manage- ment of the place, and remained with his parents until his father's death, when his years of devotion and kindness were rewarded, as he inherited the old home farm, on which he continued to reside until 1893, when he sold out and moved to his present comfortable home. Mr. Schuster is a very domestic man, and devotes his time to his family and to the care of his property. He is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of Milwaukee county and has a large circle of acquaintances. He is a loyal and ardent supporter of the policies of the Democratic party. On Nov. 26, 1885, Mr. Schuster was united in marriage with Anna, the daughter of Jordan and Elizabeth (Bauer) Puetz, who were well-known residents of Mil- waukee. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schuster: Jordan, Joseph, Albert, Frank, Edmund, Adolph, Charles, and Florence, all of whom are at home.

William H. Perrigo, Jr., a successful veterinary surgeon and dentist of Milwaukee, was born at Prairie du Chien, Wis., Oct. I, 1869, of mixed New England and Norwegian ancestry. His father, William H. Perrigo, Sr., was one of the prominent pioneers of Mil- waukee, and lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years, pass- ing away on Sept. 27, 1908, and his remains are interred in Forest Home cemetery. He was born in Georgia, Vt., Sept. 6, 1825, the son of Warren and Delia (Allen) Perrigo. Warren Perrigo was a

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pilot on Lake Champlain for a number of years, and afterward set- tled on a farm on the border of the lake in 1836, near the city of Saint Albans. From Saint Albans he moved to Chatteaugay, N. Y., and there remained until 1843, finally coming west to Milwaukee. William H., Sr., had only a limited opportunity to obtain an educa- tion in the common schools of Vermont before coming west to Mil- waukee with his father. On his arrival he immediately entered the employ of George Dousman, and later that of McClure & Williams, in the elevator at the north side of Broadway bridge. For the first six years he served as manager at an annual salary of $300, followed by eleven more years of faithful service in the same capacity, but at an increased salary. He was then appointed a member of the Milwaukee police force and continued as such for a period of three years. After this he became a "curb-stone broker", and as such frequently handled wheat in large quantities. It was at this period of his life that he laid the foundation of his fortune. In 1861 he entered the employ of the St. Paul Railway Company as grain in- spector, and was placed in charge of the company's elevator at Prairie du Chien, remaining there until 1873. He then returned to Milwaukee and was there engaged in inspecting wheat at the St. Paul Company's elevator until 1881. He was an active Re- publican in politics, and in 1879 was elected to represent the Fifth ward in the common council, serving in this capacity two terms of three years each. He was an extremely influential member of the council, and is known as the father of the Belgian brick pavement scheme in Milwaukee, a pavement which was for many years con- sidered the best of any in use, and the first of which was laid in the Fifth ward at the special instance of Mr. Perrigo. He was also the father of the ordinance which established the Fifth ward school building, and of the ordinance which made provision for filling the marshes in that ward; he was likewise one of the committee auth- orized to purchase the Fifth ward hay-market from its private owners. For a considerable period of time Mr. Perrigo dealt ex- tensively in real estate and did a large business as a money loaner. He was a member of the Excelsior Lodge of Free Masons, No. 175, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 2. His wife, who passed away in 1885, was formerly Miss Mary Bergh, a native of Norway. Their son, William H., Jr., has lived practically his whole life in Milwaukee, as he came to the city with his parents when only three years of age. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Milwaukee and in the Spencerian Business College, after which he thoroughly prepared himself for his chosen profession at the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago, in which well-known institution he was graduated in March, 1901. Upon receiving his diploma he returned to his home in Milwaukee and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. Dr. Per- rigo has had no occasion to complain of his success, and has built up a large and lucrative business. In addition to a large clientage among the leading corporations of the South Side, he has a very large general practice. He is an enthusiast in his profession, and

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his abilities command both the respect and confidence of the public at large. The doctor is a member of the McKillip Veterinary Medical Association; the Amercian Veterinary Medical Associa- tion, of which he is secretary for the State of Wisconsin ; of Excel- sior Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M., of Milwaukee; and of Walker Lodge, No. 123, Knights of Pythias. Like his father he is a staunch adherent of the Republican party in politics, but he has never sought public preferment on his own behalf.

George A. Heiden is the proprietor of the large livery and undertaking establishment at 1365-7 Green Bay avenue, where a fine new building, 50 by 150 feet in dimensions, is now in progress of construction, which when complete will be one of the best- equipped and most commodious establishments of the kind in the city of Milwaukee. Mr. Heiden is a native of Milwaukee, son of Joachim and Albertina (Lutz) Heiden, who migrated to America from Germany in 1851 and located in Milwaukee. Joachim Heiden owned and operated a large dairy for many years and retired from active business life in 1893. He made many investments in city property, which rapidly increased in value with the growth of the city, and during the later years of his life Mr. Heiden occupied himself solely with the care of these interests. He died in Milwau- kee on March 16, 1905, his eighty-first birthday. Seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Joachim Heiden reached mature years: John, de- ceased; Minnie, wife of Adam Heeb; Lena, deceased, wife of Robert Lipchow; Fred; Charles; George A .; and Amanda, who married Rudolph Spitz. George A. was born in Milwaukee, April 22, 1868, attended the public schools in Milwaukee, and at the age of eighteen years followed in the footsteps of his father by becom- ing a dairyman. In this business he was successfully engaged six years, when, attracted by the hope of larger profits, he embarked in a confectionery business. After two years in this occupation he worked for a year at the carpenter's trade and was then employed one year in a drug store. Upon learning of an attractive opening in the livery business, in which he had always desired to engage, Mr. Heiden opened a livery barn on Green Bay avenue, where he has built up a large and successful business. On Dec. 14, 1907, the building was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $15,000, partially covered by insurance. Undaunted by this great misfortune, Mr. Heiden immediately let contracts for a new building, which will considerably surpass the old one in size and equipment. Mr. Hei- den expects to have an establishment fitted with every modern im- provement and appliance for both livery and undertaking. He has made a careful study of embalming and will be able in his new quarters to satisfy every demand made upon him by his constantly increasing business. No establishment in the city will be better fitted to do undertaking and embalming by the latest scientific methods. On April 20, 1889, Mr. Heiden was married to Miss Katie Ische, daughter of George and Mary (Blinem) Ische, prosperous farmers in the town of Milwaukee. Four children have blessed the marriage: Elsie, Edith, Arthur, and Mildred. The family are

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regular attendants at the Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Heiden are members. Mr. Heiden belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America; the Junior Lodge, O. M. P .; the Columbus Lodge of Milwaukee; the Fidelia Singing Society; the Mckinley Lodge of Wisconsin, and others. He is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never sought office.

Robert Emmet Cochrane, M. D. V., Veterinary Inspector for the United States Government at Milwaukee, Wis., was born at Chicago, Il1., Feb. 16, 1871. He is the son of Capt. John W. and Catherine (Flaherty) Cochrane. His paternal grandparents were Capt. Robert and Ellen (Smith) Cochrane, natives of Scotland, the former being born at Saltcoats in 1807, and the latter at Stevenston in 1812. Capt. Robert Cochrane was a seafaring man, and, after having sailed the salty seas for many years, in which he touched at the leading seaports of the world, he came to the United States in 1832. He settled first in New York, where he acted in the capacity of a pilot. In 1834 himself and family settled at Oswego, N. Y., where he entered the service of Pardee & Carrington and was given command of their finest vessels, finally bringing out their magnificent schooner, Ireland & Scotland. He was considered in those early days one of the most successful masters on the great lakes. In the spring of 1846 he was appointed master of the pro- peller, Vandalia, owned by Capt. John Doolittle, and noted for being the first screw propelled steamer sailing on the great lakes. He was master of this vessel for two years, afterward becoming master of some of the largest lake steamers. He was the first man in Chicago to fit riggings on vessels, that work having previously been done at Buffalo. Later he returned to New York, where he piloted ships out of New York harbor, as did also his two brothers, David and Alexander. He died in 1850, leaving surviving him the following children: David M .; Ellen, wife of John Mckenzie; James W .; Agnes, wife of Capt. Daniel Maybee; John W .; Alex- ander, and Robert. Of these Capt. John W. Cochrane, father of our subject, was born in Oswego, N. Y., Dec. 4, 1843. At the age of sixteen he shipped before the mast on the schooner G. D. Norris with Captain Carroll, then on the Phalroppe and the brig City of Erie. He was the mate on the schooner Ben Flint, of which his brother, David, was master. He was master of the schooner Parker and of the A. J. Mowery, also of the brig Montezuma and the scow Nellie Church, in the lumber trade. In 1872 he became master of the steamer, Hilton, later getting command of the Jacob Bertschy, a passenger steamer plying between Milwaukee, Man- istee, Pentwater and Ludington. In 1875 he was made master of the steamer, City of Cleveland, for one year. In 1876 he bought a one-fourth interest in the steamer Colin Campbell. In 1889, under his superintendency the steamer Marion was built, which vessel he commanded until 1899 when he took command of the steamer Parks Foster, in which position he stayed three years ; and he then engaged on the Pere Marquette, No. 4, which steamer he sailed tintil the close of the season of 1904, when he retired from active

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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 64

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