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 72
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four of whom survive, were all reared in that faith. Dr. Claussen attended the public schools of Milwaukee for his primary educa- tional advantages and then took a course in the Milwaukee Busi- ness College under Prof. D. B. Williams. For his professional training he went to Chicago, and in 1895 was graduated at the American College of Dental Surgery with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He at once returned to Milwaukee and opened an office for the practice of his profession. His personal popularity soon won him a large practice, which he has been able to retain . because of his skillful workmanship and thorough knowledge of the science. In his political relations he is allied with the Repub- lican party, but because of the pressure of business affairs has never consented to become a candidate for public office. On Oct. 5, 1905, Dr. Claussen was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Duem- ling, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Herman Duemling, Ph. D., and his wife, Jennie (Sultzer) Duemling. Dr. Duemling came to Mil- waukee from Germany, and was married here. He later went to Fort Wayne, Ind., to accept a chair in a college, but in 1900 returned to Milwaukee to become editor-in-chief of the Germania, the position which he now fills. To Dr. and Mrs. Claussen has been born a daughter, Catherine.
Anson B. Richardson is a leading druggist of the city of Mil- waukee. He was born at Fitzwilliam, N. H., on Sept. 28, 1859, and is to-day the only surviving member of the family of Jefferson and Hannah (Paine) Richardson, the only other child, Lucy, having died some years ago. The father was by profession a teacher, who enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment at the outbreak of the Civil war and succumbed to disease brought on by exposure in 1863. Mr. Richardson came to Milwaukee in 1870, and from that time until he grew to manhood, lived with an uncle. His educational advantages were received in the public schools, and at sixteen years of age began his career as a druggist, being first em- ployed by Drake Brothers. In 1890 he embarked in the business under his own name at Reed street and National avenue; later, in 1898, he started another store at 408 Grove avenue, and for a number of years was active in the conduct of both. He has met a well-merited success in all his ventures. Distinctively a self-made man, he has done for himself what few men would have been able to accomplish. In politics he allies himself with the Republican party and is always keenly interested in its welfare. Although his parents were both members of the Congregational church, he is associated with the Episcopal church. When Mr. Richardson first entered business he associated himself with Mr. Gregory, and the firm was konwn as Richardson & Gregory, retailers of paints, oils and drugs. When the partnership was dissolved Mr. Gregory took the paint and oil end of the enterprise and Mr. Richardson the drug business, and since then has devoted himself exclusively to that feature. His store, which is thirty by eighty feet, is one of the largest of its kind on the South Side. On April 16, 1891, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Lita S. Spence,
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a native of Concord, Jefferson county, Wis., and a daughter of John and Mary (James) Spence. Mrs. Spence was born on July 16, 1862. The parents were both natives of England, and three of the four children born to them are'still living. The father was a general contractor who came to Jefferson county early in his life. The mother died on May 21, 1907. Mr. Richardson is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.
William F. Dohmen is the president of the F. Dohmen Com- pany, Limited, wholesale druggists of Milwaukee. He is a son of Frederick Dohmen, who was born in Germany, on Dec. 22, 1831, and Josephine (Cramer) Dohmen, born Feb. 28, 1838, in the same country. The parents were married before coming to the United States in 1855. They located in Milwaukee, where the father embarked at once in the retail drug business. In 1859 he formed a partnership under the firm name of Dohmen, Schmitt & Company, which continued until 1883, when it was succeeded by the F. Dohmen Company, Frederick Dohmen being made the president of the same. He devoted the best years of his life to building up the business, and that he succeeded exceptionally well may be judged from the growth and wide spread popularity of the firm. Both he and his wife were devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and their four children, three sons and a daughter, of whom two sons are still living, were brought up in that faith. The father passed away on Dec. 1, 1898, and the mother two days later, Dec. 3. William F. Dohmen received his primary education in the public and parochial schools of the city of Milwaukee and then spent two years at the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, in which institution he received the degree of Grad- uate of Pharmacy. On his return to Milwaukee he at once became associated with the F. Dohmen Company, and when his father died he and his brother, Henry, took over the management of the company, William F. becoming president and his brother the treasurer. Like his father before him, Mr. Dohmen is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, but has never aspired to political office. In November, 1896, occurred his mar- riage to Miss Pauline Kennedy, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Kennedy. One child, a daughter. Marie Josephine, has come to bless this union.
Peter B. De Swarte, one of the foremost figures in the drug business in Milwaukee, was born in this city on Oct. 1, 1858. He comes of good Dutch stock, his parents, Peter and Jennie (Tous- saint ) De Swarte, both having been born in Holland in 1831, the father on Aug. 13 and the mother on Dec. 23. The paternal grand- parents, Peter and Susan (Thomas) De Swarte, came to Milwau- kee in 1848 and spent the remainder of their lives here. The ma- ternal grandparents never left their native land. The father came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1848 and for a time was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but later became a painter. He is now living retired, enjoying a well-earned respite after a strenuous life. In politics he is allied with the Republican party and he and his
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wife are members of the First Reformed church. Of the seven children born to the parents six survive. Peter B. De Swarte, the subject of this review, received all his educational advantages in the public and parochial schools before he was fourteen years of age. Then he entered the drug business as a general clerk, but subsequently left it to enter the employ of the J. B. Bradford Piano Company. Later, however, he determined to make pharmacy his life work and entered the employ of Otto Schorse, with whom he remained for three years. During the following three years he was associated with August Frank, of Chicago. On Nov. 10, 1891, he returned to Milwaukee and embarked in the business under his own name at 2631 Vliet street. The venture proved successful from the start, contributed to in large measure by Mr. De Swarte's personal popularity, his thorough knowledge of the profession, and his sterling integrity. Professionally and fraternally he is recognized as a leading member of the Milwaukee Pharmaceutical Association and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is allied with the Republican party, but has never sought public office of any kind. Like his parents he is a devout communicant of the First Reformed church. On Dec. 16, 1886, Mr. De Swarte was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Sturing, who was born in Beaver Dam, Mich., on Jan. 26, 1862. a daughter of Lucas and Fannie (Krans) Sturing, both of whom were born in Holland, the father on March 30, 1828, and the mother on Feb. 14, 1839. Mrs. Sturing came to Beaver Dam with her parents, Herman and Jennie (Borgers) Krans, in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Krans spent their last days at Zeeland, Mich., where he died in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Stur- ing had a family of twelve children, of whom nine are now living. The parents themselves are now living at Beaver Dam. Mich. To Mr. and Mrs. De Swarte have been born five children: Edith Frances, Amy Jeanette, Robert James (now deceased), Thomas Raymond, and James Bartholomew.
Richard Koethe, one of the leading druggists of Milwaukee, was born in Germany on June 26, 1857, a son of Carl and Minnie (Proll) Koethe. Both parents were born in the Fatherland, the former in 1823 and the latter in 1833, and spent their entire lives in their native land. The father was a prominent merchant who died in 1875, and his widow passed away in 1883. But two of the four children born to these parents survive, a daughter and the subject of this review. Richard Koethe received a fine educational training in a gymnasium in his native land, and for a number of years earned his livelihood in various ways in Germany. In 1883 he migrated to America and came direct to Milwaukee. The con- fectionery business was his first means of livelihood after reaching here and subsequently he engaged in the coal business. In 1893 he formed a partnership in the drug industry with Dr. R. J. Fleisher, which continued until the doctor's interest was purchased by Mr. Koethe. The business increased rapidly under his direc- tion, and new and larger quarters becoming necessary he erected the building at 2405 Walnut street, which he now owns and
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occupies. His native Teutonic thrift and ability have contributed largely to the exceptional success which the establishment has had. He has several other business interests, including a directorship in the General Accumulator and Battery Company, and he is a stockholder in the Rio Tamasapo Sugar Company, in the Phila- delphia Copper Mines, and the Silica Mines at Ishpeming, Mich., beside a number of other concerns in Milwaukee. In his political relations Mr. Koethe is allied with the Republican party, but has never sought public office. Professionally he is prominently iden- tified with the Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical associations, the National Association of Retail Druggists, and the Knights of Pythias. On Aug. 22, 1888, Mr. Koethe was united in marriage to Miss Marguerite Funck, a daughter of William and Anna (Hoefer) Funck, of Milwaukee. Her grandfather Hoefer in early life was a farmer by vocation and fought through the Civil war. Her father was a butcher in Milwaukee, where his death occurred some years ago. Mrs. Funck was born in Wisconsin.
Fred A. D. de Harde, Ph. G., a prominent pharmacist of the north side with a store at 902 North avenue, was born in Milwau- kee on Sept. 30, 1870, and is a son of Herman and Caroline (Bauman) de Harde. The father was born in Germany in 1845 and the mother in Milwaukee in 1851. The paternal grandfather, Diedrich de Harde, was a captain on the North German Lloyd steamship line, opened the route between Norderney and Bremen, and up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1881, he com- manded a passenger vessel plying between those ports. The ma- ternal grandparents came to America in early days and managed a farm near where Fourth street now crosses Lloyd. The parents came to America in 1868 and the father engaged in mecantile pursuits in this city. The four children born to them are all living, and since 1881 the father has not engaged actively in busi- ness affairs. When Fred A. D. de Harde, the subject of this review, was six years of age, he went to Germany and was there reared by an uncle, after whom he was named, who was judge of the municipal court of Bremen. In the Fatherland he attended the public schools and began his career as a druggist. He returned to Milwaukee in 1890 and secured employment with Theodore Bleyler, the druggist. During the three years that he remained with Mr. Bleyler he successfully passed the examination sub- mitted by the state board of pharmacy for the degree of Graduate Pharmacist. At the end of that time he became pharmacist for Dr. Louis Frank and Dr. A. J. Puls. In 1902 he embarked in the drug business for himself at the corner of State and Twelth streets. There for five years he did a successful business, but being natur- ally ambitious and wishing a larger field he purchased the stock and good will of H. Boettcher at 902 North avenue, which Mr. Boett- cher had conducted for twenty-eight successive years. His thor- ough knowledge of the profession and his natural thrift and indus- try insured him a good business from the start, and although he has been located on North avenue but a little over a year he has
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made a host of friends who predict for him a brilliant future in his chosen line. In politics Mr. de Harde is an influential member of the Republican party in his ward, but the pressure of business has restrained him from seeking public office. In religious matters he is allied with the Lutheran church. Professionally he is identi- fied with the Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical asso- ications, and is a stockholder in the Wisconsin State Pharmacal Company. His fraternal relations are with Aurora Lodge, No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons; Kilbourn Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Prospect Lodge, No. 130, Knights of Pythias. On June 4, 1898, Mr. de Harde was united in marriage to Miss Helen Holnbach, of Milwaukee, a daughter of Robert and Lina ( Reit- zenstein) Holnbach. Mrs. de Harde's maternal grandfather, Guido Reitzenstein, was the founder of Gettleman's brewery, and he succombed to cholera. Her parents were pioneers of Milwau- kee and passed away within a week of each other, in February, 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. de Harde have been born two children, Anita Henrietta and Frederick Charles Louis.
Anton Tomkiewicz, Ph. G., one of the prominent pharmacists of the city, whose place of business is at 547 Lincoln avenue, was born in German Poland on Jan. 4, 1872. He is a son of John and Emily Tomkiewicz, both of whom were born in Germany, the former on Oct. 23, 1832, and the latter on June 28, 1832. The father was a merchant in the old country and brought his wife to this country in 1893 to visit the World's Fair. His demise occurred on Feb. 23, 1894, and his widow is still a respected resident of this city. Of the thirteen children born to the parents seven are now living. Anton Tomkiewicz, the subject of this review, received his early educational advantages in the government gymnasium in his native land. In 1888 he came to America and matriculated in the department of pharmacy at Northwestern University at Chi- cago. The trustees of that institution granted him the degree of Graduate of Pharmacy in 1891, and immediately thereafter he came to Milwaukee and became associated in business with his brother, John W. S. Tomkiewicz. On April 1, 1893, he embarked in the drug business under his own name at his present location at 547 Lincoln avenue, where he has since been most successfully engaged. His success has been largely due to his thorough knowl- edge of the art, his inherent capacity for work, and his scrupulous honesty. In his political relations he is a most staunch adherent of the tenets of the Republican party, but has never sought to be- come a public office-holder. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is to-day a zealous communicant of the church of that denomi- nation. In a professional and fraternal way Mr. Tomkiewicz is identified with the Milwaukee and the Wisconsin State Pharmaceu- tical associations, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is also one of the city park commissioners. On Oct. 23, 1895, occurred Mr. Tomkiewicz's mar- riage to Miss Agnes Dix, a daughter of Albert and Julia (Pulaski) Dix, of Milwaukee. Mr. Dix came to Milwaukee in 1864 and is
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now a merchant at 685 Windlake avenue. To Mr. and Mrs. Tom- kiewicz have been born four children : Agrypine, Engene, Florence, and Nina. Their father is recognized throughout the city as one of the rising young business men of the city.
Edward Halm, one of the old residents and well-known busi- ness men of the Cream City, who owns a drug store at 1159 Tenth street, was born in Germany on Oct. 16, 1858. His parents, Edward and Hellena (Berger) Halm, were both Germans by birth, born in the Fatherland in 1817 and 1824, respectively. The elder Halm was a merchant and reared a family of twelve children, only six of whom are still living. He died at his old home in 1875 and was followed by his wife and faithful helpmate in 1904. The subject of this sketch received his scholastic education in the gov- ernment Gymnasium of his native country, but left for America in 1884 and located in Milwaukee, where he worked for six years for F. Dohmen & Company and then for Hans Kienth for two years. Then he returned to Germany, and after spending some time in Europe came to Milwaukee to accept a position as chemist with the F. Dohmen Company and remained with that firm in that capacity a total of eighteen years. Mr. Halm was not contented to remain an employe, and in 1904 engaged in the drug business for himself at 1159 Tenth street. He has prospered and is one of the well-known and popular men in this business on the northwest side. On March 23, 1893, he was united in marriage with Marie Amalia, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Mueller) Halm, who were both born in Germany in 1824 and emigrated to the United States and settled in Milwaukee in 1849. Mrs. Halm's mother was called to her long sleep by the Angel of Death in 1886, and her father lived to the hale old age of seventy-six years, dying in Milwaukee in 1900. For years he had been a harness- maker on Chestnut street, and while living there reared a family of eleven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Halm one child has been born, Mercedes, who is fourteen years of age. The family are devout members and supporters of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Halm is a member of the Milwaukee Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation, a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists and of the Old Settlers' Club. His political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is ever ready to assist financially and otherwise in the advancement of the party.
Charles Beifuss, deceased, for many years one of the most prosperous farmers of Milwaukee county, was born in Germany, Jan. 7, 1841. He received his educational advantages in the schools of his native country, and after growing to man's estate in the Fatherland came to the United States, where the great possibilities of the young country attracted and held him. In 1867 he located in the town of Oak Creek, Milwaukee county, where his first labors were for John Lawler. Three years later, Sept. 6, 1870, he mar- ried Julia, the daughter of John and Mary (Grant) Lawler, and then began to run a farm himself. Mr. Beifuss was industrious and a good manager and became one of the prominent citizens of the
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town of Oak Creek. He never gave up active life, and was still conducting his farm at the time of his death, Sept. 17, 1908. John Lawler was born in Ireland in 1806, and when a young man immi- grated to the United States and located in New York, where he met and married Mary Grant, and they had one daughter, the wife of the subject of this sketch. With the great tide of western mi- gration they came into the territory of Wisconsin in 1836, when it was almost a wilderness, and took up eighty acres of land in the town of Oak Creek, where Mrs. Beifuss still lives. Ten chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beifuss on the hospitable old home- stead near New Coeln: Mary, Ella, William, Winnie, Charlie, Katie, Albert, John, Francis, and Joseph, all of whom are living. During his life Mr. Beifuss was a member of the Democratic party and was always interested in political matters, but was never personally ambitious to hold office. He was a devout Catholic, and with his family was a member of the New Coeln Catholic church. In no place was his loss more keenly felt than in the congregation he had helped to establish and where he had been such a faithful worker. Mrs. Beifuss still is an honored resident of Milwaukee county and is one of its oldest residents. Her farm is the same one that her father cleared nearly three-quarters of a century ago.
William Mackie, M. D., deceased, was among that galaxy of citizens of foreign birth who, by their inestimable worth and valu- able achievements, have added lustre to the name of Milwaukee and won a permanent place in the local annals of their adopted city and country. Dr. Mackie was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- land, June 29, 1855, and his brilliant career is but another evidence of the sterling qualities that seem to be inherent wherever is found a goodly strain of Scottish blood. His preliminary education was secured in the parish schools of his native village, after which he took a course in the grammar school at Keith, where by the time he had reached the age of fifteen years he had made sufficient advancement to be admitted as a student in the Uni- versity of Aberdeen. He graduated in the last-named institution in 1875, with the degree of Master of Arts, and then entered the medical department of the same university as the preliminary step to what was a remarkable professional career. After assid- uously following the course prescribed for four years he was grad- uated with the degree of M. B., C. M. The rules of the university were such, however, as to require a supplementary course of two years in practical work, either in a hospital or some other field, before title to the degrees became absolute, so in compliance with this regulation Dr. Mackie secured the appointment as house surgeon in the Stockport infirmary at Manchester, England, and in 1881 he received his final degree. Then, realizing the superior opportunities in America for one of his talents and attainments, in the way of professional advancement, he migrated to the United States in the spring of 1881 and immediately began the practice of his profession in the city of Milwaukee. He had made a spe-
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cialty of surgery during his days of preparation, and his efficiency in that line was so early recognized that almost immediately after beginning his practice in the Cream City he became assistant to Dr. Nicholas Senn, the world-famous surgeon, who was at that time surgeon-in-chief at the Milwaukee Hospital. Within two years thereafter Dr. Mackie was appointed surgeon of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, in which position he served until death, and upon the removal of Dr. Senn to Chicago he succeeded to the position of surgeon-in-chief of the Milwaukee Hospital. He also served as a member of the medical staff of the Milwau- kee county insane asylum, and for a time was surgeon to St. Mary's Hospital. In 1889 he was made president of the Brainard Medical Society, and the same year served as vice-president of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the state and county medical socie- ties, and also had membership in the British Medical Association. Though engaged in a general practice he made a specialty of surgery, and his fame in that particular was not limited by the con- fines of the county or state, but his superior knowledge and skill were recognized and often called into service in remote parts of the United States. Dr. Mackie was married in 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Bella Mitchell, who was a consistent helpmate to her distinguished husband. Dr. Mackie died suddenly of apoplexy at the home of his son, Mitchell Mackie, in Milwaukee, on the even- ing of Dec. 9, 1908.
Hugo F. Wussow, Ph. G., is prominent among the progressive young men of the city, and is also one who has by his industry, strict attention to business, and strict integrity and uprightness, achieved success. He is a native of the Cream City, born there on Nov. 8, 1877, the son of Julius and Albertina (Tietz) Wussow, who were born in Germany on April 18, 1847, and Tan. 22, 1852, respectively. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1872 and located in Milwaukee. Mr. Wussow was a Republican in poli- tics, in which he always took an active part. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Wussow passed over the great divide of life in 1900. His wife still lives in Milwau- kee. They reared five children, of whom three are still living. Hugo, our subject, was reared in his native city and was given the benefit of an education in the parochial and public schools of Milwaukee. After finishing his studies he decided upon a profes- sional career, and on May 26, 1891, began to study pharmacy. Three years later he passed his first examination before the State Board of Pharmacy. In 1905 he was admitted to practice as a druggist and the following year established himself in the whole- sale drug and cigar business at 600 Grand averue, under the firm name of the Wussow Drug Company, with O. H. Leister for a partner. The young men are meeting with well deserved success in their chosen occupation through their determination to please their customers. In politics Mr. Wussow is a Republican and he is also a member of the Lutheran church, the faith in which he was reared.
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