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 67
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seventy cases before that tribunal. In politics he is a Democrat and was, in 1886, elected to the office of district attorney of Mil- waukee, serving in that position for two years. For a time he fre- quently represented his party in the county and state conventions, but in recent years has not taken an active part in political move- ments. On April 14, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia W. Cook, of Milwaukee. They have no children. Mr. Wegner is a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, Calumet Club, Knights of Pythias, and Union League (non-resident) of Chicago. He is a man who ranks high in his profession, and is popular in social as well as professional circles.
Rev. Francis Charles Ryan, rector of St. Matthew's church, Milwaukee, was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., Oct. 16, 1859. His parents were Michael and Ellen (McGinis) Ryan, both natives of Ireland. They both came to America in 1852, were married in New York, remained there one year and then removed to Fond du Lac county, Wis., where the father followed the vocation of agriculture, being very successful in his chosen pursuit. He had a fine farm in Fond du Lac county, and on this place two of his sons are now re- siding. Rev. F. C. Ryan received his early education at the public schools of Fond du Lac, his theological training at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, being ordained by Archbishop Heiss on June 24, 1884, and he officiated at his first mass on June 29, following, at Fond du Lac. For the next four years he was a teacher at St. Francis, having English, the Christian doctrines, and mathematics. He was then appointed to the church of St. Francis Borgia, at Cedarburg, Wis., remaining as rector of the charge for eight years, and then coming to his present church of St. Matthew. The parish was organized in 1892 by Father Naughton, now of Madison, who was rector for about three years, and was succeeded by Father Ryan. The number of families in the parish is about 250, with a congregation of about 800. The church, built in Romanesque style of architecture, is of brick with Bedford stone trimmings, and has a seating capacity of 1,000. It was erected in 1905. The parish home is a good substantial frame building. Father Ryan belongs to the orders of Catholic Foresters and Knights of Columbus.
August Christopher Bendler, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran church-which belongs to the Wisconsin Synod-is a native of Wisconsin, born in Sheboygan county, in the town of Rhine, on Oct. 31, 1858. His parents, Frederic and Frederica Bendler, were of German birth, the former born at Magdeburg, Oct. 16, 1811, died May 28, 1865, and the latter, nee Klietz, also of Magdeburg, Saxony, was born on Jan. 12, 1815, died June 20, 1897. The father was a stone-cutter by trade, but after coming to this country, Oct. 20, 1852, settled in Sheboygan county and followed the vocation of farming in the town of Sheboygan Falls. August C. was educated in the public and parochial schools of Sheboygan county, and later entered the Lutheran Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis. Subsequently he was a student at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., and the Lutheran Seminary at Milwaukee, and was
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graduated in the latter in the theological department in 1881. He was ordained at.Galesburg, Ill., his first charge, where he remained two years. He spent seven and one-half years at Burlington, Wis., in charge of the Lutheran St. John's church there, and in 1890 came to Milwaukee and succeeded Dr. A. Hoenecke in the pastorate of St. Matthew's church, where he has ministered to the people for over eighteen years. The parish includes over 500 families and was established in 1865 by Pastor Vorberg. The parochial school is under the charge of four male teachers. Rev. Bendler has been twice married. On Dec. 13, 1881, he was united to Miss Anna Al- lermann, daughter of Henry and Mary (Carner) Allermann, of Watertown. Two children were born to them: Martin, who died on May 19, 1897, aged thirteen years; and Olga, who died Oct. 9, 1888, aged two years. Their mother died on March II, 1892. On May 28, 1893, Rev. Bendler married Miss Wilma Kees, daughter of Christian and Wilhelmina (Gehritz) Kees, of Burling- ton, Wis. Their children are August A. H., Eric R. G., and Irene. Mr. Bendler is a man of wide reading, is especially interested in the study of archaeology, and is also an experienced traveler. having journeyed over much of America and a number of the countries of Europe. He brings to his travels the observing habits of a student and has gained a broad culture from the combination of his stud- ies, his travels, and his intimate knowledge of human nature as it is revealed to the sympathetic eye of a pastor. Since 1907 Mr. Bendler has been vice-president of the Uintah Placer Mining, Irrigation, and Exploration Company of Utah, which he has helped to build to its preent flourishing condition. He is also vice-pres- ident of the Uintah Interstate Coal Company.
Edward M. Hyzer, an attorney of Milwaukee, and Wisconsin counsel for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, was born in the city of Janesville, Wis., Dec. 10, 1854. He is of Dutch and English descent, his ancestors on the paternal side having been among the Dutch colonists of New York. On the maternal side the family is of English origin, and was well known in Vermont in the early part of the nineteenth century. His parents were Jacob E. and Mary A. (Chase) Hyzer, the former born in New York and the latter in Vermont. The father came from Dutchess county, N. Y., to Milwaukee, in 1846, and the mother from Bradford county, Vt., to Rock county, Wis., in 1836. In 1848 Mr. Hyzer moved to Rock county and engaged in the hardware business, and that city was the home of the family and of Edward M. until 1897. Edward M. received a broad classical education under the instruction of Professor Hare, of Janesville, and studied law in the office of the Jate Chief Justice John B. Cassoday. Mr. Hyzer was admitted to the bar on examination, in 1880, and has since been admitted to practice in all the United States and state courts. He maintained his office in Janesville from 1880 until 1897, when he removed to Milwaukee.
Maximilian N. Lando, a practicing attorney in the city of Mil- waukee, was born in Hungary on April 17, 1841, son of David H.
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and Virginia (Kline) Lando, both of whom were also natives of Hungary and lived out their allotted time in that country. The ancestors were highly cultured people, being graduated in the ex- cellent educational institutions of Hungary, and were leading citi- zens and men of affairs. The subject of this review received his preliminary education in public and private schools, then com- pleted a high school course, after which he attended a gymnasium and graduated at a clerical college, receiving a "certificate of maturity." In 1865 he migrated to America, and a year later lo- cated in the city of Milwaukee, where he followed the profession of teaching for about eighteen months. While so engaged he be- gan the study of law and in due time entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated with the class of 1869, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Opening an office in Milwaukee soon thereafter he has since been engaged con- tinuously in the general practice of law, controlling a large and representative clientage. He was married on April 15, 1877, to Miss Ida, daughter of Daniel and Emma Caspary, of Milwaukee. Mrs. Lando died on March 16, 1902. To this union there were born five children, of whom the following mention is appropriately made : Bell married Lewis Rosenthal, of Detroit, Iowa, and is the mother of one child, Maurice; Dr. D. H. is mentioned more at length on another page; Ilma married Sidney N. Pollok, and re- sides in Milwaukee; Victor Scott is a traveling salesman ; and Maxa is at home. Mr. Lando is a Republican in his political views and has served as school commissioner of Milwaukee. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Germania and several other societies, and he also has membership in the Wisconsin State and the Mil- waukee Bar associations.
John Henry Roemer is a member of the present Railroad Com- mission of the State of Wisconsin, but prior to his appointment to that position he was a leading attorney of Milwaukee. He was born near Clarington, Monroe county, Ohio, on April 26, 1866, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Leinberger) Roemer, both of whom were born at Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, the former in 1826 and the latter in 1837. Upon their migration to the United States the paternal ancestors located in Pennsylvania, and when the maternal grandparents came they selected Virginia as their abiding place. Jacob Roemer, the father of the subject of this review, served as a soldier in the Mexican war, being mustered in January, 1847, as a private in Company I, Second Pennsylvania volunteers, the com- pany being commanded by Capt. Robert Porter. The regiment went direct to the city of New Orleans, where it encamped on the famous old battle-ground six miles below the city, and from there received transportation to Lobos Island. On March 9 it was conveyed by boats to Anton Lizardo, in sight of Vera Cruz, where with other troops it disembarked and proceeded immediately to invest the city, being busily engaged day and night, making prep- arations for the bombardment. In April the regiment arrived at
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Plan del Rio, at the base of Cerro Gordo, where the Mexican army under Gen. Santa Anna was strongly intrenched. An attack was made upon the enemy which resulted in the complete rout of the latter, the capture of many prisoners, 5,000 stand of small arms, and all the siege guns; Santa Anna narrowly escaping on a mule, leaving his cork leg and a large amount of silver behind. General Scott's army immediately advanced to the city of Jalapa, and in June to the city of Puebla. On Aug. 8 the regiment moved for the city of Mexico and participated in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco. Then followed the battles of Molino del Rey and Chapultepec, and after a bitter contest at the gates of the city, on Sept. 13, 1847, the American flag waved over the halls of the Montezumas. The regiment remained in the city of Mexico nine months, till the treaty of peace was signed at Guadelupe Hidalgo, and it received orders for marching home on May 29; 1848. Jacob Roemer then engaged in the general merchandise business, dealing extensively in live stock, wool, etc., and his efforts resulted in very gratifying success. He died in 1884 and his widow survived until 1888, when she, too, passed away. John H. Roemer, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the public schools of his native place, completed a course in the Clar- ington high school, and then entered the Marietta College at Marietta, Ohio, in which institution he graduated in 1887 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then followed the profession of teaching for some time, serving as principal of the Linsly Institute at Wheeling, W. Va., for a period of eighteen months, and as prin- cipal of the Fairmont State Normal School at Fairmont, W. Va., one year. While thus engaged he began the study of law and in due time entered the Yale University Law School and graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Locating then in the city of Milwaukee he was for several years associated with the law firm of Van Dyke & Van Dyke. In May, 1899, he became the senior member of the firm of Roemer & Aarons, and this partner- ship continued until August, 1907, when Mr. Roemer was ap- pointed to the position he now occupies-member of the Railroad Commission of Wisconsin. While engaged in the practice of law his specialty was life and accident insurance and the defense of personal injury suits for the liability and accident insurance com- panies. As a result of his experience in defending personal injury suits Mr. Roemer has reached the conviction that the present sys- tem of insurance is unjust to the working men, and that the state should provide some method of insurance after the manner of Ger- many, England, and France; and he has been interested in the work of the Commission of Labor, looking to the enactment of such law in Wisconsin. He was married on Nov. 17, 1897, to Miss Caroline Hamilton Pier, daughter of Col. C. K. and Kate (Hamil- ton) Pier, the former of whom died in 1895. Mrs. Roemer was ad- mitted to the bar in 1891, but does not practice, and her mother and sister have also been admitted as attorneys, the family being a noted one in Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Roemer there have
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been born three children: Kate Pier, John Pier and James Mc- Intosh, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. Roemer is a Dem- ocrat in his political views, and he held the office of Regent of State Normal Schools prior to his appointment as railroad commissioner, resigning the former position to accept the latter. His religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church, and among the fraternal societies, clubs, and professional associations in which he has mem- bership may be mentioned the following: Jefferson Club of Mil- waukee; University Club of Milwaukee; University Club of Madison; Alpha Sigma Phi College fraternity; Phi Beta Kappa honorary scholarship college fraternity; Knights of Pythias; and the Milwaukee Bar Association.
Charles L. Aarons is a practicing attorney in the city of Mil- waukee, where his ability is recognized by a large and increasing clientage. He is genial and democratic in disposition, unassuming in manner, a man of excellent reputation in his profession, and of unquestioned morals and mental ability. He was born in New York city on Aug. 18, 1872. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of Milwaukee, after which he spent three years in the public schools of Chicago, completing his high school course in Milwaukee. He then matriculated at the University of Wisconsin, and after three years' study entered the law department, graduating with the class of 1895, and receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. At once entering upon the practice of his pro- fession in Milwaukee, he had his office with Charles W. Felker until 1897, and then practiced alone until May, 1899, when he be- came a member of the law firm of Nickerson, Roemer & Aarons. On the death of one of the firm, Mr. Nickerson, in 1900, the name was changed to Roemer & Aarons, which firm continued until August, 1907, when Mr. Roemer, having been appointed a member of the State Railway Commission by Governor Davidson, with- drew from the firm, and the firm of Aarons & Niven was organized. During all these changes of associations Mr. Aarons has occupied the same offices, situated in the Free Press building. His practice is of a general nature. He was married on March I, 1905, to Miss Rose Sheuerman, of Des Moines, Iowa, and to this union there has been born one child, Matilda. Mr. Aarons is a Republican in his political views, and has frequently served as delegate to county, congressional and state conventions. He is a member of the Mil- waukee school board, having been elected thereto in July, 1908, and was formerly a member of the same for two years, 1903-5. In religious affairs his affiliations are with the Jewish church. He is a member of the Federated Jewish Charities; a member of the General Committee of District No. 6; of the B'nai B'rith, of which he has been a delegate to the District Grand Lodge No. 6, for the past five years; a director of the "Settlement"; a member of Tem- ple Emanu-El, and past master of Harmony Lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M., being a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council Mason. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, and of the Mil- waukee and State Bar associations.
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Henry L. Eaton, a practicing attorney in the city of Milwau- kee, was born in Dodge county, Wis., on May 28, 1858, son of Lyman B. and Mary J. (Sawyer) Eaton, the former of whom was born in Onondaga, N. Y., and the latter at Haverhill, N. H. The Eatons trace their ancestry back to earliest Colonial times, and it is supposed that the first American ancestor was Sir Francis Eaton, who came over in the Mayflower. The paternal grand- father, Fuller Eaton, served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Lyman B. Eaton, the father of the subject of this review, first came to Wisconsin in 1836, but shortly thereafter he returned to the Em- pire State. Then, in a comparatively short time he again removed to Wisconsin and located at Dartford, Green Lake county, where he resided four years, after which he removed to Dodge county and settled on a farm, living thereon until his death. In addition to farming he devoted a great deal of attention to the breeding of driving horses and gained a wide reputation in that line. He died in 1884 and his widow still survives. Henry L. Eaton, whose name introduces this review, received his preparatory education in Wayland Academy at Beaver Dam, Wis., where he graduated with the class of 1874. Deciding upon the practice of law as his life's vocation he entered the office of A. Scott Sloan at Beaver Dam, and after a thorough study of the intricacies of the subject he was admitted to the bar on examination in 1881. He then be- gan the practice of his profession at Beaver Dam in partnership with Otto E. Hempel, which association continued until the death of the latter in 1883. In 1886 Mr. Eaton removed to Milwaukee and formed a partnership with W. C. Williams, under the firm name of Williams & Co., and this firm continued in business until 1889, when Mr. Eaton became the confidential associate of George Hiles in the lumber and railway business. In 1892 he also became an attorney for the International Land Co., continuing his rela- tions with Mr. Hiles, however, and he remained thus engaged until the autumn of 1894, in the meantime making trips to Cuba and the South American countries in the interest of the company. In the fall of 1894 he associated himself with P. G. Lewis, under the firm name of Eaton & Lewis, and this partnership continued two years. Since 1896 Mr. Eaton has been engaged in the practice of law alone, and he commands a large and representative clientage. He was married on Oct. 15, 1894, to Miss Julia A., daughter of Fred and Anna (Ramming) Wiedman, of Brooklyn, Wis. In politics Mr. Eaton is allied with the Grover Cleveland school of statesman- ship, commonly denominated "Gold Democrats," but he is not active in the political field. Professionally he has membership in the Dodge County Bar Association, and fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias.
John T. Meredith was born in England. He was a builder of iron and steel furnaces in his native country, and immigrated to the United States in 1868. He located in Milwaukee and prac- tically ever since has been identified with what is now the United States Steel Company. He erected the steel plant in South Chi-
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cago and has the unique distinction of being the first builder of malleable iron furnaces in Milwaukee and the Northwest. When the village of Bay View was in its infancy he served for a time as its president. The Meredith Brothers Company engaged in busi- ness in 1892, doing a general contracting business. In 1901 the firm was incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin with John T. Meredith as president, Richard secretary, and George S. treasurer. Since 1903 the officers have been John .T. Meredith president and George S. secretary and treasurer. The firm makes a specialty of heavy construction for manufacturing plants, and erecting blast furnaces, heating furnaces, malleable melting furnaces, open hearth steel furnaces and annealing furnaces of all kinds. John T. Mere- dith, the head of the company, came to Milwaukee in 1868, and has since resided here. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. Swain, by whom he had six children, five of whom grew to maturity : Maria, the wife of F. W. Bailey ; Alfred J., de- ceased; Mary, the wife of Howard Thornberry; Richard, and George S. The first wife passed away in 1872, and his second union was to Miss Eliza Swain, who died on July 28, 1908. She was the mother of four children, three of whom grew to maturity : Horatio S., Sarah, and Harry, now deceased.
Frank L. E. Drozniakiewicz is recognized as one of the prom- inent druggists and successful business men of the Cream City and has always been conspicuous for his honest business methods and desire to please his customers. He is a native of Milwaukee, born there April 13, 1880, a son of Frank and Cecilia (Grymczyn- ski) Drozniakiewicz, who were both natives of the province of Posen, German Poland. They immigrated to America at an early day and were among the pioneer Polish residents of Milwaukee. After locating in their new home, the father was engaged in the hardware business for many years. He reared seven children, who grew to maturity in the Cream City: Mary, the wife of Peter Fons; Joseph; Sophia, the widow of Casper Kaczmarek; Roman; Frank L. E .; Leo, a physician ; and Victoria. Frank, the subject of this sketch, always resided in his native city and received his educational advantages in the public schools of Milwaukee. He started in as an apprentice in the drug business in 1898, with Stanley E. Czerwinski. In 1900 he received his first diploma and three years later received his full diploma, to practice in the state. For four years he worked as a druggist and manager of The Glysz Drug Company, but he desired a store of his own, and in January, 1907, embarked in business for himself at his present location. He has met with gratifying success in his profession, this result being due to his desire to please and the fine stock of goods which he carries. On Aug. 12, 1902, Mr. Drozniakiewicz married Wanda, the daughter of Mathias and Eva (Kolodziezski) Woida. Three children have been made welcome in their happy home: Victoria, Raymond, and Cecilia. The family are members of St. Cyril and Methodius Polish Catholic church. While Mr. Drozniakiewicz is one of the younger business men he is very progressive and is meeting with a well earned reward.
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Wladislaus Louis Petrykowski stands among the younger busi- ness men of Milwaukee who have by their own efforts and per- severence risen from comparative obscurity and poverty to an enviable position in the business circles of the city. Mr. Petry- kowski conducts a fine tailoring establishment and ready-to-wear clothing store, and in addition carries a large line of hats and men's furnishing goods, at 443 Mitchell street. He is a native of Exin, province of Posen, Germany, born there on Feb. 19, 1870, a son of Anton and Antonia (Paprocki) Petrykowski, who immigrated to the United States with their family in 1881. They landed in September of that year and immediately located in Milwaukee, where the father, who was a shoemaker, by trade, worked at the bench for many years. In 1901 he retired from active life and since that time has been enjoying his declining years in a well deserved rest. Mr. and Mrs. Petrykowski reared a family of nine children: Wladislaus L., Theodore, Casimir, Vincent, Alexander, John, Anton, Marie, and Josephine. Wladislaus, the subject of this brief sketch, was eleven years of age when his parents came to the new world, and after becoming established in the new home in Milwaukee was sent to St. Joseph's school, where he remained un- til the age of seventeen. At that time he began his business life as clerk in a clothing store. Mr. Petrykowski had excellent taste and a pleasing manner and readily found employment in some of the finest clothing stores of the Cream City. He was advanced from one position of trust to another and took charge at one time or another of every branch of the clothing business. He was ambi- tious, however, and not content to remain in the pay of another. He was prudent, and during the years he was working in the city he accumulated considerable capital ; and in October, 1908, he em- barked in business for himself on Mitchell street, where he con- ducts one of the up-to-date clothing establishments of the city and has built up an immense trade. He desires to please his customers, and has achieved marked success in his chosen vocation. On June 19, 1893, Mr. Petrykowski was united in marriage with Stella, the daughter of Valentine and Mary (Witucki) Prezychocki, of Mil- waukee. Four children have been born to this union: Irene, Helen, Adeline, and Thadeus. The family are members of St. Stanislaus' Polish Catholic church. In politics Mr. Petrykowski is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the party. He is a Knight of St. Martin, a member of the Polish National Alliance of America, the Konstantine Malek Singing Society, Polish Sharp- shooters, a Knight of Columbus, and he is also a member of the St. Stanislaus Dramatic and Singing Society. Mr. Petrykowski is one of the rising young men of the South Side and is one of the popular merchants of that district.
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