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 74

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

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home and entered Antioch College, later enrolling himself as a student at the Albany Law School, and he graduated in the medical department of the University of Michigan with the class of 1873, that institution afterward conferring upon him the degree of LL.D. At the beginning of the school year following his gradua- tion he engaged as teacher of biology in the Milwaukee high school, and he was thereafter connected with the public schools of Milwaukee for a period of more than twenty years. In 1885 he was made principal of the high school, in which position he served until 1892, when he was elected superintendent of the city schools and served in that capacity until 1896. He was especially popular and successful as a teacher, principal, and superintendent and was well qualified for these positions by a natural adaptability, superior acquirements, and a wide acquaintance with school men and school work. Many of the improvements made in the management of the schools during his connection with them were the result of his initiative. On his recommendation, a rule was adopted that pupils in the lower grades should be promoted without examination and on the judgment of the class teacher, approved by the principal, thus giving an opportunity for the bright and more ambitious pupils to get through the grade work in a shorter time without deterring in any way the progress of the weak and indolent. In 1896 Mr. Peckham retired from active school work and accepted the position of librarian of the Milwaukee city library, which posi- tion he still retains. While devoting the greater part of his time to school work, he has continued his biological researches, and to- gether with his wife, who is also an enthusiastic devotee of that science, has won attention throughout the scientific world by their studies of the habits of insects, particularly spiders. As an author- ity on the habits of these insects he is probably without a rival. With many short papers on kindred subjects published in the annals of learned societies, both in the United States and Europe, he has published "Mental Powers of Spiders" (1887), and "Sexual Selection in Spiders" (1889). He has also published, in associa- tion with his wife, "Instincts and Habits of the Solitary Wasps" (1900), and "Wasps, Social and Solitary" (1905). He has been an extensive contributor of papers to the Wisconsin Natural History Society and various journals on entomological subjects, and for a number of years he has been president of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters. Mr. Peckham was married at Hart- land, Wis., Sept. 16, 1880, to Elizabeth Maria, daughter of Charles and Mary Caroline (Child) Gifford, and has three children: Mary Gifford, George Williams, and Harold Gifford.

Louis Krasney, a striking example of the excellent position a man may gain by enterprise and thrift, is a prominent jeweler of Milwaukee. He was born on Oct. 12, 1882, in Russia, a son of Carl and Fanny (Gutsacht) Krasney, both natives of the czar's domain. The father immigrated to America in 1904 and has since that time made his home in Milwaukee, earning his livelihood by devoting himself to the bag business. Louis Krasney, the subject of this

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review, received the limited educational advantages afforded by the Russian public schools until the time of his coming to America in 1902. For a period after coming he devoted himself to gaining a knowledge of the American language and business methods. He secured employment while still a youth in a jewelry store. By devotion to his work and his habits of enterprise and frugality he was enabled to save a competence, so that in February, 1907, he opened an establishment under his own name. Since that time he has met with exceptional success and has made the acquaintance of a wide circle of friends who predict for him a brilliant future. In his political relations Mr. Krasney is not allied with any exist- ing political party and casts his vote free from party dictation. In religious matters he is affiliated with the Jewish synagogue. His social relations are with the Jewelers' Club of Milwaukee and the Rothschild Guards of Milwaukee, a military organization. He served one year (1906) as a volunteer in the fire department at Clinton, Ind. On Aug. 11, 1907, occurred Mr. Krasney's marriage to Miss Lillian Jacobson, a daughter of David Jacobson, of Mil- waukee. To this union was born, on May 3, 1908, a daughter, Beatrice. Mr. Krasney is distinctively a self-made man, every- thing he has achieved being the direct result of his own labor.

Harry L. Taylor, the assistant passenger agent of the Penn- sylvania railroad, whose career is but briefly outlined in this review, is pre-eminently a self-made man, and he has risen. to his present prominent position by his own unaided efforts. Not only in rail- road circles, but in the commercial world does he hold an enviable place. He is a native of Indiana, born at Logansport, July 21, 1877, the son of Charles and Emma Taylor. His father was born at Reading, Ohio, in 1845, and his mother at Winchester, Ind., in 1860. When this country was torn asunder by the strife of civil war his father responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Pennsylvania infantry, Capt. Horace C. Ben- net, and later in Company E, Eighty-fourth Indiana infantry. This last-named regiment was organized in September, 1862, and left the state for Kentucky, where it was assigned to the defences against the threatened invasion of Kirby Smith's forces. It was in Kentucky for some time, being stationed at Louisville, Frank- lin, and Nashville, where it remained until spring. It was in the battle of Triune, in the pursuit of Bragg, and at the battle of Chickamauga, where it aided General Thomas in saving the army from the massed assault of the enemy. Mr. Taylor was with his regiment in these actions, and with it moved to Lookout Mountain, where it was in the battle of that name. He was in active service throughout the south; participated in the operations around At- lanta, Chattanooga, and Athens, and was taken prisoner. He was placed in Libby prison after his capture and was moved from there to Andersonville, but was exchanged and came north after the war. During the four years of warfare he served two enlistments, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his second term of service. Harry L., the subject of this review, was reared in Fort

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Wayne, Ind., where he received his elementary education in the graded schools, and then finished a course in the high school. Sub- sequently he attended a business college to gain a commercial education. After leaving the college he obtained employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as messenger boy, in Fort Wayne. His strict attention to duty and natural ability won him promotion within a year, and he was taken into the freight offices of the company in Fort Wayne. During the next six years he was advanced from one responsible position to another, and at the expiration of that time, became a member of the office force of the superintendent, where he remained three years before being taken into the ticket office. For six years he held the responsible position of assistant ticket agent and last April he came to Milwaukee to assume the same position. Mr. Taylor is one of the young men who has risen rapidly in the service of the Pennsylvania road, and he has a bright future in store for him. He is a Republican in poli- tics and takes an active interest in the party. When the Spanish- American war threatened, like his father he responded to his coun- try's call, and enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-sev- enth Indiana infantry, known as "Colonel Studebaker's Tigers." The regiment went from Indianapolis to Chickamauga Park and then to Tampa, Fla., and from there Mr. Taylor was moved with the other members of the regiment to Fernandino, Fla. After seven months' service the regiment was mustered out of the service of the government at Indianapolis, in November, 1898. On Feb. 6, 1899, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Marguerite Edith, the daughter of Calvin and Minnie Cougill, residents of South Bend, Ind. One child has been born to this union, Charles, aged eight. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are communicants of the Baptist church and Mr. Taylor is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, Lodge No. 155, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Hugo Rohr, retired, for a number of years one of the best- known realty dealers in Milwaukee, was born in Germany on May 2, 1862, a son of Anton and Mary Rohr. Anton was a member of the Prussian army and attained great distinction for faithful and brave service in the Franco-Prussian struggle. Hugo Rohr attended the public schools of his native land, and when he had completed his schol- astic work he served for a time in the German army. When twenty- five years of age, in 1887, he migrated to the United States and located in Milwaukee, and for two years was engaged in various occupations to earn his livelihood and give him opportunity to become conversant with American business methods and customs. In 1889 he embarked in the real estate business. The qualities of thrift, industry, and uprightness, with which he had become imbued in his early struggles, stood him in good stead in the building up of this new business, and it flourished from its inception .. A few years ago he determined to retire from active participation in business affairs, having accumu- lated a sufficient competence to live in ease, and he is now enjoying a well-earned respite from the cares of a busy life. In politics Mr. Rohr is affiliated with the Republican party, but has never sought

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to become the candidate of his party for any office, and in his re- ligious belief he is a member of the Roman Catholic church. On June 14, 1900, Mr. Rohr was united in marriage to Miss Lena Kemeling, a daughter of Peter and Sophia Kemeling, of Milwaukee. Two children have been born to this union: Lydia, four years old, and Oscar, two and a half years old. Mr. Rohr is recognized throughout the community as one of the most substantial and pub- lic-spirited citizens.

Frank W. Suelflow, the senior member of the firm of F. W. Suelflow & Sons, dealers in realty, loans, and insurance, was born in Germantown, Washington county, Wis., on Feb. 4, 1846, and is a son of John and Wilhelmina Suelflow. The father migrated to Washing- ton county in 1843, and resided there until the time of his death, which occurred in his eighty-third year. He was one of the most enthusiastic and enterprising farmers of the community. Mr. Suelflow received the educational advantags to be obtained in the parochial and public schools of Germantown, and while still a youth came to Milwaukee. He ar- rived here on April 18, 1863, and immediately started his apprentice- ship as a cabinet-maker. This work supplied him with an occupation and means of livelihood for a period of five years, and during the five years immediately following he was employed as a journeyman car- penter. On March 8, 1873, he embarked in the insurance, loan, and realty business, which has proved so prosperous ever since. Mr. Suel- flow's inherent qualities of thrift and enterprise, a heritage from his Teutonic ancestry, have made an excellent financial success of the venture. In political matters Mr. Suelflow is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and as the successful candidate of that party served as the representative of his district in the lower house of the legislature in the session of 1893, despite the fact that the elec- tion of 1892 was a Democratic landslide in Wisconsin. In religious matters he is prominently identified as a member of St. John's Ger- man Lutheran church. On Oct. 3, 1867, Mr. Suelflow was united in marriage to Miss Mina Buth, a daughter of John and Mary Buth, of Germantown. Six children were the issue of this union. Charles and Walter, thirty-nine and thirty-four years of age, respectively. are associated with their father in business: Clara, thirty-two years old, is the wife of George Booth; Hattie, thirty years of age, is now Mrs. Henry O'Neil ; Alfred, twenty-eight years old, is one of the partners in the firm of Schroeder & Suelflow, steam heaters and plumbers, and Frank H., now twenty-five years of age, is paying teller of the West Side Bank. Mrs. Suelflow died on Dec. 3. 1905, and on Oct. 26, 1907, Mr. Suelflow was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Loibl. Mr. Sueflow is a member of the Milwaukee Real Estate Association, the Milwaukee Board of Fire Underwriters, and of the Millioki Club.

Joseph Rauwald .- In this twentieth century men of energy, industry, and ambition are rapidly pushing themselves to the front, and those who reach the goal of success, by their own unaided efforts, may well claim recognition. Among those who have, by indefatigable enter- prise, won fortune, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Rauwald was

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born at Oberausen, Germany, March 3, 1859, being the son of Gispert and Isabel (Fueser) Rauwald, who were born at Oberausen in 1820 and 1830, respectively. The father was a manufacturer of church and house furniture and died in the Fatherland in 1873, when Joseph was sixteen years of age. The mother continued to live in Germany until 1883, when she passed peacefully away from the cares of life. Our subject received his education in the public schools of his native land, and in the still greater school, which teaches dearly but well, that of experience. After leaving school he went to work with his father and learned the trade of furniture making. In Germany, the making of church furniture has reached a stage where it is a fine art, and Joseph had mastered every branch of the business while working in the Fatherland. He remained in the old country several years after his father died, working at his trade. In 1884 he determined to take advantage of the many opportunities offered in the new world and came to the United States. After reaching Milwaukee he went to Madison, Wis., where he worked for Frank A. Starck, a cabinet-maker, for five years. Returning to Milwaukee, he engaged in cabinet and church furniture making at the St. Francis Art Institute, in the town of Lake. for five years. For four years Mr. Rauwald was in business as a contractor, but he disposed of that business to advantage and established himself in the church furniture manufacturing business at 520-532 Sixteenth street. where he has displayed great skill and artistic ability in the special line of goods he produces. The firm is now known as the Rauwald Ecclesiastical Art Manufacturing Company. Mr. Rau- wald found that his business had increased so rapidly that one man could not handle it, and when the company was incorporated he became president and his son, John Rauwald, was chosen secretary. The company holds the patents that cover the Altar Tabernacle, invented by Mr. Rauwald, which is approved by the Roman Catholic authori- ties. The Rauwald Ecclesiastical Art Manufacturing Company is one of the largest and most prosperous church furniture establishments in the country. Mr. Rauwald is a Democrat in politics, but does not take an active part, devoting all his energies to his business. His maternal grandfather was a well-to-do merchant in Oberausen, and was alder- man in the town for many years. At one time he served with great credit in the Berlin Guards. On Sept. 21, 1881, Mr. Rauwald mar- ried Theresa, the daughter of Edmund and Clara Buesterbach, natives of Oberausen. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rau- wald : Clara, the wife of Edwin Laur ; Gertrude, deccased: John, mar- ried to Charlotte Bellman ; Helen, the wife of Albert Hoelsken ; Joseph : Edmund : Frank ; Elizabeth ; Caroline ; Marie : and William, deceased. The family are members of St. Lawrence's Catholic church and Mr. Rauwald is a member of St. Lawrence's Branch of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin.

Jacob Kaul, deceased, was born on July 7, 1842, in Germany, being the son of Jacob and Justina Kaul, who were also natives of Germany. The father was a stock-buver and came to the United States and settled in Milwaukee in 1847. When the Civil war broke

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out he at once offered his services in defense of the land of his adop- tion, joining the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin volunteers. After the war was over he returned to Milwaukee, but retired from further business pursuits. He owned a great deal of real estate that became very valu- able. He died in 1873, and his wife died in 1878. They were the parents of three children : Jacob, Frederick, and Kate, the last-named being the wife of John Schneck. Jacob Kaul was educated in the Milwaukee public schools. He learned the trade of a trunk-maker, which he followed about eight years. He then engaged in the fur- niture business for sixteen years, and finally in the insurance business until his death, on Dec. 24, 1898. In politics Mr. Kaul was a Repub- lican and in religion a Methodist. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. On April 14, 1864, he married Miss Frances Smitt, daughter of John and Cath- erine (Oberbillig) Smitt, of Milwaukee. To them three children were born, as follows: William J., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Frances, wife of George Schneck, of Milwaukee, and Lily, wife of John Rilling, of Milwaukee. Mrs. Kaul's parents, John and Catherine Smitt, came from near Trier, Prussia, to Milwaukee in 1848. Her father was a baker by trade, but he abandoned that after reaching this country and went to work for what was known as the Mississippi Railroad, as car foreman. He remained with this company forty-two years. He retired from labor ten years before his death, which occurred on Oct. 31, 1903. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Evangelical Association. He was an affectionate parent and a good neighbor.

David Bodine Thiers, deceased, was born at Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., July 28, 1820, being the son of George and Mary ( Bodine) Thiers, both natives of New York state, where the former was born June 26, 1781, and the latter on Oct. 23, 1782. Dan- iel S. Thiers, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a conspicuous Huguenot in France, and George Thiers died in Walden, Orange county, N. Y., in 1853. The mother died at the same place in 1854. There were five children: Catherine, Roxanna, John, Daniel, and David B., our subject, who was educated in the common schools of Orange county, N. Y. He began business as a merchant at Walden. N. Y., going thence to Laurel, Md., near which place he officiated as agent in the management of a large farm. After living there a few years, in 1850 he came west to Southport, now called Kenosha, Wis., where he again engaged in merchandising. In 1851 he removed to a farm in McHenry county, Ill., returning, however, to Kenosha in 1854, and re-engaging in mercantile pursuits, which he continued until his death, March 21, 1875. On April 6, 1847, he married Miss Louise K., daughter of Seth and Eunice ( Mann) Capron, of Walden, N. Y., their union being blessed with five children: Ella, deceased ; Herbert, living in Chicago; Emma, wife of Charles Quarles; Edward C., of Kenosha ; and Louis M., of Kenosha. Mrs. Thiers' parents were born in Attleborough, Mass. The father was a physician and went to Utica, N. Y., in 1806, and there he built a woolen mill, the first factory of its kind in the state, which is still in active running order. Later he

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moved to Walden, N. Y., leading a retired life until his death in Sep- tember, 1835. His wife came west with our subject's widow and died in McHenry county, Ill., in 1853. Seth Capron was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, in which he enlisted at nineteen years of age, and he enjoyed the honor of having charge of the boat or barge on which George Washington crossed the Delaware river after his farewell address to his army at the close of hostilities. In religion our subject was a member of the Congregational church, serving as a deacon at Kenosha. In politics he was a Republican, never sceking office, but he served for a number of years as a member of the city school board. In whatever capacity he acted he was a man of deep, scrupulous, and conscientious convictions, who did his duty well, according to the dic- tates of his conscience.

Berthold Alexander Zopff, deceased, was born in Breslau, Germany, March 21, 1842, the only child of Frederick A. and Annie Zopff, both natives of Germany. The family came to the United States and to Milwaukee in 1883, and although the father was a hotel keeper in Germany he embarked here in the tinsmith business, which he fol- lowed until his death, and himself and wife are both buried here. Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native city, Breslau, and worked with his father until 1876. In that year he started in the laundry business, to which he later added the business of cleaning and dyeing. He sold this business to the Badger Dye Works and engaged · his services to the Novelty Dye Works. Several years thereafter he retired from business to enjoy his snug competency, and he died on "May 31, 1907, a well-to-do and respected citizen. On Feb. 6, 1876, he married Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael and Catherine (Ham- bach) Kluehanspeies, both natives of Germany, and to this union there was born one child, Catherine, wife of Max Leitel, a music teacher of this city. Mrs. Zopff's parents were natives of Ger- many, where the father was connected with the German army for twenty-five years, holding a fine government position. He retired and died in 1863, his beloved wife having died in 1855. Our subject and the members of his family were united with the Lutheran church. Mr. Zopff belonged to that class of sturdy German-Amer- ican citizens who have figured so conspicuously in the development of our great Northwest.

Lars Martin Nelson, deceased, was born on Jan. 4, 1837, in Norway, being the son of Lars and Sophia Nelson, both natives of the same country. The father was a tower watchman and served for sev- eral years in the army. He came with his family to the United States about 1855, locating at Lansing, Iowa, where he led a retired life until his death, leaving a wife and two children, Lars Martin and Olen. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Christiania, Nor- way, and came to the United States and to Lansing, Iowa, when he was eighteen years of age. After living on the farm for a while he enlisted in the Civil war. After the close of the war he returned to Lansing, Iowa, where he opened a store, and later came to La Crosse, Wis., and there conducted a store. . In 1890 he came to Milwaukee,

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where he was employed by the Custom House until his death, Sept. 7, 1893. On Jan. 30, 1864, he married Miss Julia, daughter of Iver and Bertha (Knutson) Oslegson, of Iowa, and to them were born seven children : Sophia, wife of John Strathearn; Gustave, of Winona, Minn. ; Bertha, wife of Edward Zeikind, city ; Martha, city : Ellert, an engineer, of Newton, Kan .; Grace, at home; Leonard, assistant superintendent of the paper mills at Kaukauna, Wis. Mrs. Nelson's parents were born in Norway, where the father had been a cabinet- maker and a surveyor. They came to the United States in 1844, set- tling first in Milwaukee and later at Janesville, Wis., where the father followed the vocation of a contractor. He then moved to Iowa, where his wife died, and subsequently he moved to Home City, Minn., in 1894, where he died. Our subject enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company C, Sixth Wisconsin infantry, and he participated in the bat- tles of Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and Appomatox Court House. He was promoted from private to corporal and was honorably discharged on July 14, 1865. In religion he was a member of Emanuel Presbyterian church, being a trustee of the church at La Crosse, Wis. In politics he was a Republican, and he was a member of the school board at Lansing, Iowa. He was a member of the Masons, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the United Workmen of America.

Louis John Elsner, deceased, for many years prominently iden- tified with the packing industries of Milwaukee, was a native of the Cream City, born there on April 6, 1861, the son of John and Mary (Evert) Elsner, both natives of Germany, where they were reared. John Elsner emigrated from Germany at an early day and was one of the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee. When he first came to the city he was in the employ of the McGeough Packing Company, where he learned the meat business, and then established himself in the retail store on Mitchell street, near Sixth avenue. Mr. Elsner conducted a popular and well-patronized store until his death. There were seven children in the family: Minnie, Louis J., Charles, Lillian, Franklin, and George. Louis received his elementary education in the public schools, and then took a thorough course at the Spencerian Business College. After completing his course at this excellent institution he became a member of the office force of the Plankinton & Armour Pack- ing Company, but resigned his position there to accept a more lucrative one with the Cudahy Brothers' Packing Company. At first he was manager of the beef house, where his services proved so efficient that he was rapidly promoted and became buyer for the company. During his eighteen years with the Cudahys he filled several impor- tant positions of trust, and it was with regret that the com- pany accepted his resignation. Mr. Elsner was a good man- ager, and being far-sighted in business matters, had invested his savings in the stock of the Bodden Packing Company, and he was with this concern for six years, until his death ended all earthly services. On June 10. 1890. Mr. Elsner mar- ried Miss Martha Daevel, the daughter of Charles and Louise

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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 74

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