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 7

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

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William Wirt Watkins, deceased, was born in Chester county, Pa., on Oct. 16, 1832, being the son of William Watkins. The father was a manufacturer of brick at Chester, Pa., and came to Milwaukee in 1845 to engage in the same business. The city was then giving strong evidences of its future greatness and a man of Mr. Watkins' penetrating judgment was not slow in recognizing that here was a most desirable location for his plant. He success- fully continued in this business until his death, which occurred in 1874. He was survived by six children as follows: May Ellen, William W., Martha S .. George H., Margaret and John. William Wirt Watkins enjoyed the special benefits of attending and grad- uating from the Philadelphia public schools, which gave him the advantage of a superior education. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he began and worked for a time at the machinist's trade at Wilmington, Del. He joined his father in Milwaukee in July, 1845, and with his unusual tact and business ability was largely instrumental in furthering the success of the business which his father had founded. On the death of Anthony Green in 1870 he purchased from his estate an interest in the coal business which had been conducted by Mr. Green, and formed a partnership with Charles H. Swan under the firm name of Swan. Watkins & Co. ; but a few years later sold this business and in 1885 also disposed of the brick business, which he had conducted since the death of his

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

father, and retired from active business pursuits, having amassed a large fortune, the fruits of his unerring business ability and per- sistent energy. On March 16, 1870, he married Miss Harriet, daugh- ter of Horace and Mary (Adams) Fiske, of New York. They had no children. Mrs. Watkin's father and mother were both born in Ellington, Conn. He was for many years engaged in the express business at Waterford, N. Y., which he followed until his death. After the father's death the mother brought the family to Milwau- kee in 1865, and here she died. The family was composed of the following children: John, Mary, Martha, Sarah, Harriet, Horace and Caroline. They were all members of the Presbyterian church, the father being an elder therein for over twenty years. Our sub- jet was not only a builder of his country's industries, but he was also in those days that tried the souls of loyal men, a brave de- fender of the flag at the cannon's mouth. While his wealth and po- sition in society could have saved him the trials and dangers of a life on the field of battle, he brushed them aside and entered the lists where true men prove by their conduct that it is sweet if need be to die for one's native land. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the reorganized Company A of the First Wisconsin infantry, and was chosen second lieutenant of his company, his commission being dated from Sept. 13. 1861. He served until the expiration of his term of enlistment, having been promoted to the adjutancy of his regiment for conspicuous bravery. He was mustered out on Oct. 16, 1864. with the rank of captain. He was continuously with his regiment, and with it took part in the engagements at Perryville, Stone's River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. In politics he was a Republican, and as a representative of that party he served for nine years as alderman from the Fourth ward of Milwaukee, before its division, and he was a member of the City Library Board. He enjoyed the conspicuous honor of being chosen chairman of the commission which was appointed to erect monuments to mark the spots on Chickamauga's fearful battlefield where Wisconsin's brave sons baptized the Southern soil with their blood and willing- ly yielded up their lives in order that the Union might be preserved and that every man living beneath "Old Glory's" stainless folds might be and remain absolutely free. He was an attendant of the Calvary Presbyterian church, a member of the Knights Templar, the Blue Lodge of Masons and of the Loyal Legion, of E. B. Wol- cott Post, G. A. R., and for many years of the Soldiers' Relief Com- mittee of Milwaukee county. Thus passed away on Dec. 8. 1896, a man, who in peace and in war, had played a conspicuous and suc- cessful role among his fellows, and always received and enjoyed their respectful consideration.

Very Rev. Hiram Francis Fairbanks, pastor of St. Patrick's parish. Milwaukee, was born at Leon, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and is the son of Rev. Caleb James and Lydia (Franklin) Fair- banks. The former was a native of Onondaga county, N. Y .. born Jan. 12. 1821, and died in May, 1899, and the latter was born in Cooperstown in the same state, April 21, 1822, and died on Aug. 8,

BIOGRAPHIICAL

1878. The parents came to Wisconsin in 1853. locating at Waupun. Fond du Lac county. The father was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church and was stationed at various places in the state. The family is an old Colonial one and some of Father Fairbanks' ancestors participated in the American Revolution ; his direct an- cestor. Joshua Fairbanks, served with the rank of lieutenant under Capt. Caleb Whiting on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, and also was commissioned as lieutenant of the Eighth company of the Third Worcester county regiment on July 9, 1776. Father Fair- banks is a kinsman of Charles W. Fairbanks, vice-president of the United States, and is also related to John and John Quincy Adams, both United States Presidents, and through the Coolidge family of Boston is related to the descendants of Thomas Jefferson. Many of his relatives also participated in the Civil war, including prominent officers in the Union army, and one at least with the rank of major served in the Confederate army. Father Fairbanks was born on May 25, 1845, and received his collegiate training at Lawrence ('ni- versity. Appleton, Wis., being a student at that institution for four years, at the end of which period he became a convert to the Catho- lic faith. Later he attended the St. Louis University, at St. Louis, Mo., and subsequently went to St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, to prepare for the priesthood. He was ordained at St. Francis on Jan. 20, 1868. and said his first mass at Waupun, Feb. 2, 1868. He was for a short time assigned to duty as assistant at St. Patrick's church. Janesville, Wis., and was then a year and nine months at East Troy, and later at Whitewater, where he spent eleven years. coming from that charge to his present position. This is one of the largest and most important parishes in the Milwaukee archdiocese and its pastor is very prominent in the church circles. He is also a Consultor of the Archdiocese. an office which ranks next to vicar- general. He is a gifted writer and his "Visit to Europe and the Holy Land." a volume of 463 pages, is the most popular book of travels ever written in the English language by a Catholic. and is now in its fifth edition. He has also written much in prose and verse for both the papers and magazines, pamphlets and articles for historical and genealogical works, and has also made a translation of many Catholic hymns from the Latin. He is especially inter- ested in the line of genealogical studies, and his work on the geneal- ogy of the Adams family is the best that has been compiled and is anthority in this line.

Hugh Ryan, attorney. of Milwaukee, is the son of the distin- guished jurist. Hon. Edward George Ryan, chief justice of the state of Wisconsin from June 17, 1874. until his death. Oct. 19, 1880, and his first wife, Marv, daughter of Captain Hugh Graham, whom he married in 1842. Chief Justice Ryan was born in Newcastle House, County Meath, Ireland, Nov. 13. 1810, and was the son of Edward and Abby ( Keogh) Ryan. He was educated in Clongoe's Wood College, which he entered in 1820, completing the full course of study in 1827. and three years later came to the United States. He had begun studying law in his native country, and continued after

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

reaching New York, supporting himself by teaching. He was ad- mitted to practice in 1836 and came the same year to Chicago. Im- mediately after his marriage, in 1842, he removed to Wisconsin, and his career was henceforth connected with this state. He first came into prominence in connection with the first constitutional conven- tion, in which he took a prominent and active part, and later in con- nection with the impeachment of Judge Levi Hubbell, where he ap- peared for the assembly. Subsequently, in the still more famous case of Bashford vs. Barstow, he appeared for Bashford and showed, although an uncompromising Democrat, that he could rise above all questions of political influence when it became necessary to vindi- cate the constitution and the rights of the people. Upon the break- ing out of the Civil war he was appointed as the chairman of a com- mittee of four at the Democratic state convention to draft an appeal to the people of the state. This was known as the "Ryan Address," and denounced the secession and sustained the war for its suppres- sion. From 1870 to 1873 Mr. Ryan held the important office of city attorney for the city of Milwaukee, but he never sought or held any office outside of his profession except his membership in the first constitutional convention. On June 17, 1874, the office of chief jus- tice of the supreme court of Wisconsin became vacant by the resig- nation of Luther S. Dixon, and Mr. Ryan was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the following April was elected for the unexpired and full term of six years, but his death occurred over a year before the completion of the latter. He was one of the most remarkable men that the state ever produced and played an important part in many of the most notable affairs of the commonwealth. Both as an advo- cate and a judge he challenged the admiration of even his political opponents by his brilliant intellect, fertility of resource and wonder- ful command of language. In spite of the fact that he was naturally of a quick temper, as a judge he was patient, painstaking and emi- nently just. A few years after the death of his first wife, in 1847, he married Miss Caroline W. Pierce, of Newburyport, Mass. His son, Hugh, of this sketch, was born in Racine, Wis., June 14, 1847, and was left motherless in his infancy. The following year the father removed to Milwaukee, and the son was reared in the city with which his later life has been associated. He was educated largely in private schools, in Racine College and the Milwaukee Classical Gymnasium. The last named was under the administration of Prof. Kursteiner, who, on removing to New Jersey, in 1865, was accom- panied by his pupil, who remained for two years longer under his instruction. Returning to the West, Mr. Ryan entered the office of Attorney-General Edsall, of Illinois, where he pursued the study of the law, being admitted to the bar by examination, in Kansas, in 1872. After practicing there for something less than a year and during that time serving as prosecuting attorney for Rooks county, lie returned to Illinois and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of that state, and followed his profession there for about two years, being also employed in the recorder's office. In 1876 he went to Milwaukee and entered the office of Hon. Luther S. Dixon, for-

BIOGRAPHICAL

merly chief justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin, and at that time a member of the firm of Dixon, Hooker, Wegg & Noyes. The firm dissolving the following year, Mr. Ryan became associate editor of the "Commercial Times" for a time. In 1878 he resumed the practice of law, and was the same year appointed court commis- sioner, a position which he has held continuously ever since. Most of his practice has been without partners, but in 1898 he formed an association which still continues, the firm name being Ryan, Ogden & Bottum. In politics he is a Democrat, but has not entered largely into the political arena, although he served in 1885 as a member of the state legislature. While Mr. Ryan has doubtless been handi- capped to some extent by being known as the son of his father, yet his own abilities, which are of a very high order, have enabled him to achieve a standing in his profession not surpassed by many mem- bers of the Wisconsin bar. He has a wide and thorough knowl- edge of law, a clear, logical and analytical mind, and a commanding and impressive manner of presentation. His practice is varied and extensive and has embraced many cases of more than the usual im- portance, and demanding more than the usual knowledge and abil- ity to handle. He was one of the counsel in the case involving the franchise of the Milwaukee street railway, in which Quarles, Spence & Quarles, J. G. Fanders and other prominent attorneys of the city also appeared ; was one of the attorneys for the widow of Gov- ernor Ludington in the contest over his estate, and assisted in win- ning the case for his client; and was also attorney for Ferdinand Schlesinger in his litigation with Henry Herman as assignee of the Plankinton Bank, and in many other important cases. Aside from his legal qualifications, which have made him one of the leaders of the Milwaukee bar, Mr. Ryan possesses literary taste of a high order in other lines, and had he chosen to continue in the journalis- tic field, would doubtless have acquired equal reputation in that line.

Henry Harrison Button was one of the pioneer druggists of the city of Milwaukee, and the business established by him in 1848 still continues under the name of the Milwaukee Drug Company, being one of the leading wholesale drug concerns of the Cream City. Mr. Button was born at Wallingford, a post-village in Wal- lingford township, Rutland county, Vt., on Aug. 28, 1818, and was the youngest son of Lyman and Rachel ( Boardman) Button. His father was a farmer by occupation, who gave his children such educational advantages as his means and the locality afforded. The childhood days of the subject of this review were spent in ac- quiring a primary education in the common schools of his native town, and in assisting his father on the farm as much as his age would permit. Immediately upon leaving school he began fitting himself for college, and later entered Brown University at Provi- dence, R. I., at which institution he was graduated with, the class of 1842. After his graduation he studied medicine under Dr. Spears, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and a part of the time while pursuing his medical studies he filled a position as private tutor to a gen-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

tleman's family in Virginia, after which he returned to New York and received his degree from the eminent Dr. Mott, president of the medical faculty of the University of New York. He imme- diately began the practice of his profession in Brooklyn, continuing there for about four years, but the comparatively limited oppor- tunities for advancement in the East prompted him to change his location, and he came West, arriving in Milwaukee in the fall of 1848. Here he entered into a partnership with Thomas A. Greene, under the firm name of Greene & Button, in the wholesale drug business. ; This enterprise was exceptionally successful, and the partnership continued under the same name until the time of Dr. Button's death, Feb. 14, 1890, making it one of the oldest firms in existence in Milwaukee at that time. After his death the business was converted into a stock company under the name of the Mil- waukee Drug Company, in which the family of Dr. Button are the principal stockholders. The doctor was a very popular man in both social and business circles, was at one time president of the Mil- waukee Chamber of Commerce, and for many years president of the Milwaukee Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association. He was also one of the earliest directors of the Milwaukee Gas Compa- ny, was president of that corporation at the time of his death, and for a time he was a director of the Northwestern Mutual Life In- surance Company. In politics the doctor was a staunch Republi- can, but he had no aspirations for political honors of any kind. As a member of the Unitarian church he was for more than twenty . consecutive years a trustee of that society, and he was also a mem- ber of the Milwaukee 'Club. Professionally he was a member of the Psi U Greek letter fraternity, and he served a term as presi- dent of the American Drug Club. Dr. Button was married on Dec. 31, 1847, to' Miss Elizabeth Arnold Pearson, the daughter of Luther and Louise Mary (Arnold) Pearson, of Providence, R. I., and to this union there were born four children: Henry Harrison, Lyman Pearson, Charles Pearson, and Louise Mary, all whom are de- ceased, excepting the eldest son, Henry Harrison. Charles Pearson Button, the youngest son, was the first student from Milwaukee to graduate at Harvard College. He became prominently identi- fied with the business interests of Milwaukee, and his death a few years since was widely deplored. Mrs. Button, who at an ad- vanced age still survives, is a fine type of the best American woman- hood, and during her long residence in the city of Milwaukee has been a most useful member of the community. Luther Pearson, the father of Mrs. Button, was born at Reading, Mass., and her mother was a native of Providence. R. I. The father was a prom- inent cotton broker at Providence, in which city he received his ed- 11cation, and he retired from business several years before his death. which occurred at the age of seventy-six years. He and wife were members of the Unitarian church.

Frederick E. Beals, the genial president of the Beals & Torrey Shoe Company, was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 6, 1882. He is a son of James L. and Etta E. (Fowle) Beals, the former of whoni

BIOGRAPHICAL

was born in North Weymouth, Mass., in 1848, and the latter in South Milwaukee in 1850. His uncle, Elias F. Beals, served all through the Civil War as a soldier in a Massachusetts regiment and died in Milwaukee two years ago. He was president of the Beals & Torrey Shoc Company at the time of his death. Frederick E. Beals received his early education in the public schools of Mil- waukee and rounded out his scholastic training by a course in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Shortly afterward he became associated with the Beals & Torrey Shoe Company. This company is a manufacturer and wholesale dealer in boots with a large busi- ness in Wisconsin and other states. The firm was first started after the war, in 1866, as Mann, Beals & Company ; shortly after- ward Mr. Torrey became a partner in the concern, whose name was changed to Beals, Torrey & Company. This title was carried until 1897, when, upon incorporation, it became known as the Beals & Torrey Shoe Company. Mr. Beals' paternal grandfather and his uncle, Elias F. Beals, were the original members of the firm, and his father later joined the company. The subject of this memoir has been associated with the company for about five years, and succeeded to his father's interest upon the latter's death. He is unmarried. In political matters he is allied with the Republican party, but has never held public office. In church matters he is as- sociated with the Congregational society. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Blue Mound Country Club and the Deutscher Club.

George P. Mayer, president of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Com- pany, is one of the representative business men of Milwaukee. Born in Milwaukee on Dec. 14, 1860, he received his education in the city schools, both public and parochial, and completed his scholastic training by a course in Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis. He comes of good German stock. His father, Frederick Maver. was born in Nierstein, Germany, on Sept. 4, 1823. and the mother, Phillipine (Laubenheimer) Mayer, in the same country on July 18, 1829. The father received the education af- forded by the common schools of his native country and served his apprenticeship in the shoemaker's trade in the shope of a rela- tive in Nierstein. He was at different times located in various parts of Germany, traveling through the country as a journeyman shoemaker. From 1847 to 1851 he served his country as a soldier in the army, and upon receiving an honorable discharge from the service he emigrated to the United States. He located in Milwau- kee on May 8. 1851, and, from the time of his arrival until his death. which occurred March 16, 1893, he was one of the most public spirited and influential men in the city. The first year after his ar- rival he was employed by R. Suhm in his store on Third street as a shoemaker. In 1852 he embarked in the retail shoe business under his own name, and for twenty-eight consecutive years con- ducted a store at 318 West Water street. His advent in the busi- ness of manufacturing shoes was in 1880, when he established a factory on Walnut street between First street and Island avenue.

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

in a frame building of three stories, forty by seventy feet in size. It was while conducting this factory that Frederick Mayer adopted the policy which has been followed to the present day and which is the keynote of the success which the firm has attained, namely : to fix a high standard of production and manufacture shoes of the best quality. In 1884 the growing demand for the output of the factory necessitated the building of an addition of two stories, thirty-three by fifty-five feet. The quality of Mayer shoes was by this time becoming known throughout the country and the con- stant demands of the trade made it expedient to enlarge the old factory and to lease and build new warehouses and factory depart- ments. Eleven different times since 1884 has it become necessary for the Milwaukee end of the business to acquire more space. In 1903, in order to accommodate the western trade, the company pur- chased the controlling interest of the Washington Shoe Manufac- turing Company at Seattle, Wash., and within two years it became necessary to enlarge the capacity of this factory. Probably no bet- ter example of the growth of the business can be found than in the facts that in 1880 the company had a capacity of 150 pairs of shoes a day, while today the capacity is 9,000 pairs per day : in 1880 the company had one traveling representative, and today it has fifty- five. George P. Mayer's connection with the firm began in 1880, when Frederick Maver purchased the Goldman interests. Prior to that time he had served in a clerical capacity for a sewing ma- chine concern and had also been office assistant to a physician. When, in 1884, the firm was incorporated as the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company, with a capital stock of $50,000, he became secre- tary and treasurer, the other officers being Frederick Mayer, presi- dent, and V. Schoenecker, vice-president. Ever since his associa- tion with the concern he has devoted his best efforts to its develop- ment and welfare, and his measure of success can be judged by the rapid progress of the company, the paid-up capital of the company now being $1,250,000. Mr. Mayer's religious affiliations are with the Grace Lutheran church, of which he is a member. His close attention to business leaves him little time for participation in other affairs. On Jan. 26, 1896, Mr. Mayer was united in marriage to Miss Amalie Brumder, a daughter of Hon. George Brumder, an old resident of Milwaukee. Four children have blessed this union : George, Erma, Rudolph and Dorothy. Since 1906 Mr. Mayer has been president of the F. Mayer Boot & Shoe Company. Two of his brothers, Frederick J. and Adam J., are vice-president and treasurer, respectively.

Rev. Max J. F. Albrecht, president of Concordia College, Mil- waukee, is one of the most prominent Lutheran educators of the Middle West. Born in Prussia, Germany, March 10, 1860, he came to this country at an early age and found here the opportunity to make a name for himself and bring honor to the family name. The father of our subject, Fred Albrecht, was born in Prussia, Aug. 2, 1827. His mother, who was Frederica Rekett, was born in Prussia on Feb. 2 of the same year. The elder Albrecht was a cabinet-

BIOGRAPHICAL

maker by trade and came to Chicago from the old country in 1868. In that city he worked at his trade, and in 1896 he came to Mil- waukee to reside with his son, with whom he is still living. In his native land he served as a soldier for the Kaiser in the war of 1866, which was waged against Austria. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht, all sons, of whom three are living. Rev. Max J. F. Albrecht, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Chicago, at Concordia College, Fort Wayne, Ind., and at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. After finishing his seminary course he became an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church, and filled his first charge at Lebanon, Dodge county, Wis- consin. He was then transferred to Janesville, and finally to Fort Wayne, Ind. His high abilities in the denominational work, with a natural trend for things educational, led to his choice, in 1893, for the presidency of the Concordia College at Milwaukee, and he has held this position ever since, to the eminent satisfaction of the entire denomination and the hundreds of students who have left the institution during his administration of its affairs. President Albrecht is affiliated by choice with the Republican party. On Nov. 18, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Paul, who was born in Germany, the daughter of Henry Paul, a piano-maker. Their children are Agnes, Walter, Eugenia, Ruth, Lydia and Dorothy. President Albrecht's address is 277 Thirty-first street.

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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 7

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