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 76
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of life on Sept. 20, 1895. He was a stanch Republican, but was never an aspirant for office. During his life he was a member and active worker in the South Baptist church, and was deacon, trustee and Sun- day school teacher. In his earlier life he was also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On Nov. 10, 1861, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Emily Bradshaw, the daughter of George and Minerva (Warren) Bradshaw, who lived in Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born four children: Oscar C., deceased ; Mary B., the wife of Fred H. Kappen, of Milwaukee ; Zaidie, the wife of Fred Hildebrand, and who also lives in the city, and Dean R., a resident of Milwaukee.
Emil Schneider, deceased, a prominent and successful whole- sale liquor merchant of Milwaukee for many years, was born at Otten- doun, Prussia, the son of Bernhard Schneider, a natie of the same place. Mr. Schneider was educated in the gymnasium of his native town and came to this country in early manhood. He originally located in New York, where he was engaged for about five years in the manu- facture of scales. He then came west to Milwaukee and there started a grocery store at the corner of Clinton and South Water streets. Later he embarked in the wholesale liquor business at the same place, where his sound business judgment, energy, and foresight enabled him to build up a large and flourishing trade. The business is still being carried on at the same place under the name of the John Barth Com- pany. Mr. Schneider retired from active business with an ample com- petence some twelve years before his death, and was succeeded in the active management of the company by his brother-in-law, John Barth. His last years were spent in the enjoyment of that leisure which he had so richly earned by years of unremitting toil and close application to the details of his extensive business. His death took place in Mil- waukee in February, 1896. His death was a distinct loss to the busi- ness world, by which he was held in high esteem. He was universally respected for his sterling honesty and shrewd business judgment, quali- ties which had won him an important place in the commercial world. His private life was also without a blemish, and he was known as a most devoted husband and father. He was allied with the Republican party in politics all his life, though he never sought any personal advantage therefrom, and was never a seeker after public office. In his religious life he conformed to the Lutheran faith, and was a regu- lar attendant and a faithful supporter of the German Lutheran church in Milwaukee. He was united in marriage on Oct. 18, 1855, to Miss Helen Barth, daughter of John and Frederica Barth, of Milwaukee. They reared a large family of twelve children, of whom seven were born in the Fatherland and five in the United States.
Charles Frederick Winckler, deceased, for many years one of the prominent and honored citizens of Milwaukee, was born at Leipsic. in the heart of the German Empire, Oct. 25. 1843, being the son of Christian and Marie Winckler, who were also born and reared in Ger- many. Charles received the benefits of educational training in his native country and remained there until he reached manhood's estate.
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Being an ambitious young man he determined to seek his fortune in the new world, and coming to the United States at the beginning of the Civil war, he almost immediately enlisted in a New Jersey regiment of cavalry and served with honor through the years of carnage and bloodshed. After being mustered out of the service he came to Mil- waukee and conducted a cigar factory in partnership with Adolph Frobach, at the corner of Second street and Grand avenue. After some time Mr. Winckler was able to dispose of his business with con- siderable profit, and he engaged in the retail business in Milwaukee for two years. He then moved to Duluth, Minn. For eight years Mr. Winckler conducted one of the finest tobacco stores of that city, but he had always liked Milwaukee and returned to the Cream City. He opened a cigar store in the Chamber of Commerce building and conducted it with gratifying success until summoned by the angel of death, Jan. 15, 1900. He was unselfish, kindly and upright, devoted to his family and his fellow men. In politics he was allied with the Republican party ; he was influential in its councils and stanch in his adherence to its principles. The German Presbyterian church sus- tained a severe loss in his death, as Mr. Winckler was a willing, loyal, and earnest worker. Fraternally he was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Milwaukee Turner societies, and he was a member of E. B. Wolcott Post, No. I, Grand Army of the Republic. On Dec. 28, 1868, Mr. Winckler was united in marriage with Augusta C., the daughter of Jacob and Christina (Drefenbach) Weber, old and honored residents of Milwaukee. Two children came to bless this union: Ida, who is now the wife of Charles A. Krause, and has two children, Helen and Charles, Jr., and Richard, who is in business in Hammond, Ind. Mrs. Winckler's daughter resides with her mother at 3108 Cedar street. During his life Mr. Winckler was regarded as one of the progressive business men, and had many friends who felt his loss keenly.
Sidney G. Courteen, wholesale seed merchant, and one of Mil- waukee's prosperous business men, is of pure English descent, and was born in the city of Monmouth, England, on June 17, 1864, the son of Thomas and Eliza (Allen) Courteen, both of whom were also of English birth. He is one of a large family of eight children. His father was a miller by trade and owned a number of flour mills. Sid- ney G. received his education in the grammar schools of his native town, and at nineteen years of age he went to Canada, where he was employed by the Shedden Company, of Montreal, carting agents for the Grand Trunk Railway. In 1885 Mr. Courteen moved to Chicago, Ill., where he became associated with the Albert Dickenson Company, wholesale seed merchants, as the managing head of their clover-seed department, and was prominent for a number of years in the business life of Chicago. Coming to Milwaukee in 1892, he embarked in the wholesale seed business in his own behalf at 52 and 54 Second street, and also maintains a large warehouse in the Menomonee Valley. hav- ing a total capacity of two hundred cars. His business has assumed large proportions and now runs to nearly two millions of dollars
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annually. He is a man of indomitable energy and push, keen, shrewd, and intelligent in his business judgment, qualities which have enabled him to build up one of the most important industries of its kind in the world. He now ships his seed to every portion of the civilized world. The esteem in which he is held in the commercial life of the city is shown by the fact that he has twice served as president of the Mil- wattkee Chamber of Commerce, and as one of the directors of that organization ; he is also one of the directors in the Wisconsin Central Railway, and while living in Chicago was an influential member of that city's Board of Trade. He has been president of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, and is also a popular member of a number of other well- known clubs, including the Milwaukee Club, Town Club, and the Blue Mound Golf Club, of which last-named organization he has served as vice-president. He has always been independent in his political con- victions, never seeking public preferment on his own behalf, but ren- dering a ready support to the best men and measures. In this respct he is a type of Milwaukee's highest citizenship, and has done his full share in promoting the civic welfare. Mr. Courteen was united in marriage on April 4, 1894, to Miss Lena, daughter of Leman and Eliza (Barnard) Bartlett, prominent residents of the Cream City. They have two children, Herbert B., born in 1895, and Edith, born in Octo- ber, 1897. Mr. Courteen is a man of courteous and affable address, exceedingly popular in both the business and social life of the city, and possesses a host of warm friends and admirers. His residence is at 337 Juneau avenue. .
Hugo Julius William Geyer, an expert mechanic, whose place of business is at 614 State street, Milwaukee, was born in the city of Dresden, Saxony, Germany, June 30, 1875, the son of Gustave Julius and Amalie Aurelie (Weissbach) Geyer. Both parents were also natives of Germany, and the father was a prosperous merchant of Dresden. He reared and educated a family of four children, and late in life made a visit to Australia, South America and the United States, his death taking place soon after his return to his native land. Our subject was educated in the schools of his fatherland, and early in life he learned the trade of mechanic in connection with the production of surgical and optical instruments. He also attended the Chemnitz Technical School, making a special study of electrical engineering. He enlisted in the German army at the age of nineteen, and served two years as a member of the Saxon Pioneers, battalion No. 12, becoming instructor in the telegraph and searchlight corps the last few months. In the year 1897, when he was only twenty-two years of age, he came to America, locating first at Syracuse, N. Y., for a short time. He spent one year in. Thomas A. Edison's works at experimental work. He next went to Rochester, N. Y., and from there to Schenectady, N. Y., being employed at the last-named place by the General Electric Company. He afterward worked for the Westinghouse Manufacturing Company in Pittsburg, Pa .; was located at Chicago for a brief period, and finally, in 1901, came to Milwaukee, where he has made his home ever since. He worked for the First National Bank, using his skill in
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perfecting some mechanical devices. Then he embarked in business in his own behalf, first at 499 Broadway, and afterward at his present address, 614 State street. His technical skill and industry have brought him a marked degree of success, and his business has increased at a flattering rate. Mr. Geyer is independent in politics, and has never sought nor held public office. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, of which he is a consistent and zealous supporter in its many Christian activities. Mr. Geyer was most happily married in April, 1905. to Miss Johanna Louise, daughter of Theodore Schelle, the West Water street jeweler of Milwaukee. Immediately after the wed- ding ceremony was performed, Mr. and Mrs. Geyer departed for a most enjoyable trip to the Fatherland, which Mr. Geyer had not re- visited since his departure in 1897. Their union has been blessed with one child, Marguereta, born June 27, 1906.
George Geuder was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 20, 1877, the son of William and Emma (Paeschke) Geuder, both of whom were born in Milwaukee. The father was one of the founders of the Geuder- Paeschke Manufacturing Company, being president of the company for some time, and he was also honored for a number of years with a position on the city school board. He was the father of five children, two boys and three girls.
Oscar Bach, the president of the Milwaukee Music Company, has proved that if a young man be possessed of a bright and active mind, and endowed with ambition, perseverance, steadfastness of pur- pose, and integrity, he can reach an eminent position in the community and exert a wide influence. Oscar Bach, the subject of this brief review, is a native of the Cream City, born there on July 16, 1871, being the son of George and Helena (Hilgen) Bach. The father was a native of Germany who left the Fatherland when quite young and came to the United States. He took up music as a profession and has made a brilliant name for himself in the musical world. George Bach may be regarded as a musical genius, and he has demonstrated his remarkable ability as the director of George Bach's Military Band of Milwaukee. Oscar was reared in his native city and given the benefit of an education in the public schools of Milwaukee, and he sub- sequently completed a thorough course in the Spencerian Business Col- lege. He inherited great musical talent, and at the age of fifteen began the study of music under his father and uncle, Christopher Bach. He worked hard, and this, combined with his natural ability, gave promise of a brilliant future, which has since been realized. While still a very young man Mr. Bach became a member of Christopher Bach's Orchestra, one of the leading musical organizations of the Middle West. Oscar did not devote himself to one line of music, but has become an expert on many instruments, of which he is complete master. Mr. Bach has gained a wide reputation as a teacher and has large classes. In 1897 he established himself in the music business at 547 Third street. becoming president of the Milwaukee Music Company. The business of the company increased, and in 1906 Mr. Bach moved to his present quarters at 2201 Vliet street, where one of the largest music
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houses in the Middle West is conducted. In partnership with his father, Mr. Bach, in 1892, established a musical journal called "The Souvenir," of which he is the editor, and which is devoted to musical interests. This publication met with a very gratifying reception, has come to be recognized as the official musical journal in the United States, and it has an immense circulation. In addition to these many interests Mr. Bach is a publisher and writer of music, with offices at 275 Eighteenth street, Milwaukee. Mr. Bach is a Republican in poli- tics, and he is a member of the Milwaukee Turn Verein and the Musicians' Association, of which he was secretary for a number of years. On Oct. 19, 1897, . Mr. Bach was united in marriage with Amanda, the daughter of Charles Abresch, of Milwaukee. They have one daughter, Lola, born Aug. 22, 1899. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Frank Schmitt, a well-known contractor and builder of Mil- waukee, was born on March 13, 1871, in that city, being the son of Herman and Anna (Jungers) Schmitt, the father being born in Milwaukee in 1849, and the mother was born in Luxemburg, Germany. The father, after leaving the public schools of his native city, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1882, and from that time until 1907 he extended his efforts into the general contracting lines, then being succeeded in the business by his son, Frank, the subject hereof. The family comprised three children, all boys, who are interested in the business. Frank gained his schooling in the public schools, at the Spencerian Busi- ness College, and at night schools at the East Side high school. With his father he learned the carpenter's trade, later kept books for the firm and attended to various other office duties, until in 1897, when he purchased an interest in the firm, and ten years later he got entire control of the plant, when his father retired, in 1907. As soon as he had control he started in to win success in a greater degree even than heretofore, for his laudable ambition was to be the leading contractor and builder of the Cream City, hence the many magnificent structures that his skill and genius have builded stand in various parts of the city to proclaim to the world his phenomenal success. On March 12, 1895, he was united in the bonds of wedlock to Katherine, daughter of Peter and Mary Wengler, of Milwaukee, and their union has been blessed with three bright and happy children, all born on almost the same day of the same month: Francis H., born Aug. 12, 1896; Katherine, born Aug. 6, 1898; and Eugenie, born Aug. 12, 1900. In religion Mr. Schmitt and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church, while in politics he is a Democrat, being also a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Hurricane Sporting Club, of the Builders' and Traders' Exchange of Milwaukee, and he is a director in the Northwestern Game Protection Association. He is a striking illustration of the idea that life is what you make it, for he has made his a success by the use of legitimate means to secure great results.
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Henry G. Comstock, known throughout the country as an expert celery grower, was born in Milwaukee county on Nov. 12, 1850. Mr. Comstock received only such educational training as was afforded by the common schools of his native county, and he laid the foundation for a business career by a course in the Spencerian Business College. At the age of sixteen years he left school to assist his father on the farm, and there remained two years. At the end of that time he moved north and for two seasons worked in the lumber camps in the vicinity of Oconto, Wis. Because of his father's death, in 1872, he returned to the parental home to take charge of the affairs left by his parent, but after a short time moved to New Mexico and Texas, where for two years he was a cowboy. When he returned to Milwaukee it was to enter the lumber business with his uncle, Leander Com- stock, but the labor was not congenial and he returned to the old home farm to earn his livelihood, raising vegetables and doing general market-gardening. After a time he naturally turned to the raising of celery, and to-day devotes his whole place to that product. He supplies not only the local market but many cities throughout the state and farther west, and during the growing season employs a large number of helpers, many of them women. Mr. Comstock's success has been due to his indefatigable energy, his capacity for work, and his scrupulous honesty, which have won him the esteem and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a Republican in his political views, but has never had the leisure to devote to making a campaign for public office. In religious matters he is extremely liberal, believing that the standard of right living is not set by church or creed. His only fraternal and social relations are with the Old Settlers' Club. On Oct. 24, 1872, occurred Mr. Comstock's marriage to Miss Mary Jordan, a daughter of William and Clarinda (Welch) Jordan, of Canada. On April 16, 1907, a great grief came to the family in the death of Mrs. Comstock. She was a devoted wife and mother, and known among the neighbors as a woman of great kindliness and cheer. Beside her husband she left five children, whose names and the dates of birth follow : Mabel, July 24, 1873; Cicero, April 7, 1877; Alonzo, July 27, 1878; Enos, Dec. 24, 1879; and Bessie, March 2, 1881. Alonzo and Cicero are interested like their father in the growing of celery; Mabel and Bessie are at home ; and Enos is married and living in New York.
Sidney Fred Guttenstein, president of the firm of Guttenstein Brothers, dealers in horses, was born in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 19, 1873. He is a son of Solomon and Mary (Freisleben) Gutten- stein, both of whom were born in Austria, in 1823. The father was engaged in the wholesale liquor business in his native land, and in 1848 came to the United States and located in New York. In that city he was engaged in the baggage and transfer business until 1864. He had been in the service of the army in his native land, and soon after his arrival in New York he joined the national
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guard. When he left New York it was to come to Milwaukee, and here he opened a hotel which he conducted for a short time. In 1871 he removed to Chicago and embarked in the same business, establishing in connection with it a wholesale liquor business. After his hostelry and liquor establishment had been destroyed by fire in 1880 he returned to Milwaukee and was engaged in the buying and selling of horses until his death, which occurred in March, 1884. The mother died on Sept. 24, 1882. Eight children were born to the parents. Emanuel is a member of the firm of Guttenstein Brothers; Bernard is a prominent photographer in Milwaukee ; Sidney F .; Abraham is deceased; Carrie is deceased ; Bertha is now Mrs. S. L. Stein; Tillie is Mrs. A. G. Deller; and Rose is the wife of Charles Livingston, of Wausau, Wis. Sidney F. Guttenstein, the subject of this sketch, received his educational advantages in the public schools of Mineral Point, Wis. When but seventeen years of age he left school to engage in the busi- ness of buying and selling horses, making his headquarters at Mineral Point. He conducted the business most successfully until 1903, in which year he removed to Milwaukee and with his brother Emanuel established the firm of Guttenstein Brothers. The com- pany has had exceptional success under Mr. Guttenstein's guidance as president and secretary, and some idea of the amount of busi- ness which the brothers have may be gleaned from the fact that each year they handle more than a thousand horses. In his political belief Mr. Guttenstein has always been an ardent adherent of the tenets of the Republican party, and as the successful candidate of that party he served two terms (from 1898 to 1902) in the com- mon council of Mineral Point. His church relations are with the Jewish synagogue, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and B'nai B'rith, a Jewish organization. On Jan. 8, 1902, Mr. Guttenstein was united in marriage to Miss Julia Abraham, a daughter of Max and Bertha (Stein) Abraham, of Chicago. To this union was born, on Oct. 28, 1902, a daughter, Bernice; and on March 24, 1905, a son, Sidney.
Emanuel Guttenstein, one of the members of the firm of Gut- tenstein Brothers, the foremost dealers in horses in Milwaukee, was born on Dec. 23, 1860, in New York city. He is a son of Solomon Guttenstein, a review of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of Sidney F. Guttenstein. Mr. Gut- tenstein received his educational advantages in the public schools of Milwaukee, and when he had completed the courses afforded there he served a year as an apprentice in the butcher's trade. He then engaged in the business of buying and selling horss, estab- lishing his first stable on Cherry street in 1879. He followed the business under his own name until 1903, when his brother Sidney removed to Milwaukee from Mineral Point and entered partnership with him. The sales stables of the firm are now located at 1022 Cherry street ; and each year since the establisment of the firm the volume of business has increased in a remarkable manner. Be- side his interest in the firm, Mr. Guttenstein is interested with his
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two brothers in lead mining near Mineral Point. He is not allied with any of the existing political parties, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage without the dictation of party leaders. His religious relations are with the Jewish synagogue. Mr. Gutten- stein is unmarried.
Bernard C. Guttenstein, one of the leading photographers of the state, was born in Milwaukee on April 12, 1869. He is one of the sons of Solomon Guttenstein, a brief review of whose career appears elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of Sidney F. Gut- tenstein. Mr. Guttenstein received his preparatory educational advantages in the public schools of Milwaukee and laid the founda- tion for a business career by a course in the Spencerian Business College of this city. When he had completed his scholastic work he entered the employ of S. L. Stein, the well-known photographer of Milwaukee, and remained with him until he had thoroughly mastered every detail of the business. He then, in 1895, embarked in the business under his own name, his whole force at the time being constituted of himself and an office boy. As evidence of how well the enterprise has prospered is the fact that he now employs regularly between twelve and fifteen people, all skilled in the art. His galleries on Grand avenue are extremely artistic in their appointments, and his work has won the high praise of skilled crtics. While Mr. Guttenstein's political proclivities are strongly Republican he does not allow himself to be unduly influenced by party fealty in local elections. He is liberal in his religious belief and is not affiliated with any church organization. In a fraternal way he is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Wis- consin Council, No. 4, and is also identified with the Millioki Chib. On June 14, 1896, Mr. Guttenstein was united in marriage to Miss Ida Mutter, a daughter of George and Josephine Mutter, of Mil- waukee.
Henry Charles Bomhard, founder and president of the Crow Stove Polish Company, was born at Davenport, Ia., on April 8, 1858. He is a son of Charles and Christina (Ulmer) Bomhard, the former of whom was born in Bavaria on Dec. 31, 1825, and the latter in Wurtemburg, Germany, on Dec. 1, 1835. The father received excellent educational advantages in his native land and began a course of study preparatory to entering the ministry, but before the time for his ordination he migrated to America and lo- cated in Baltimore, Md., where he served an apprenticeship in the printing business. When he had become a journeyman in the art he removed to Davenport, Ia., and worked at his trade, going thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there to Dayton. In the latter place he was made foreman of the composing room of a large printing establishment and held the position until his demise, which occurred in 1871. The mother passed away in February, 1889, leaving a family of five children. Henry Charles Bomhard, the subject of this memoir, received his educational advantages in a German school in Davenport and in the public schools of Cin- cinnati and Dayton. When but thirteen years of age he was com-
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