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 77

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

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BIOGRAPHICAL

pelled to relinquish his studies in order to go to work to assist in the support of the fatherless family. His first employment was in a scaling-wax factory, but shortly afterward he accepted a posi- tion with I. L. Baker in selling popcorn balls and other confec- tions at fairs and carnivals in different parts of the country. For a time also he was employed with a theatrical troupe over the country. In this way he saw a goodly portion of the United States and learned the rudiments of business. When he returned to Dayton it was to accept a position in a confectionery store. While employed in the latter capacity he conceived the idea of manufac- turing stove polish, and began experiments in the making of it. Finally he was enabled to place some on the market, and when it had once been tried its success was assured. He gave up his position with the confectionery company and started out as a salesman for his own product. He would spend the day in ped- dling his article and his evenings he would devote to the making of it. Business prospered to such an extent that he was soon enabled to start an advertising wagon, which traveled over a large territory. About this time Mr. Bomhard removed to Milwaukee and established the factory in which he manufactures the polish, which is known to-day throughout the world as Crow Stove Polish. At the present time he maintains five advertising wagons, which travel in different sections, and he advertises extensively otherwise. The factory itself is a model establishment in every respect. During the past few months Mr. Bomhard has erected a handsome residence, in which he anticipates enjoying a well- earned respite from daily duties within the near future. In his political relations he is a staunch adherent of the principles of the Republican party. In his religious relations he is affiliated with the Lutheran church, and fraternally is a member of the Druids, the United Commercial Travelers and the Travelers' Protective Asso- ciation. On July 25, 1881, Mr. Bomhard was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Hallett. Three sons: Harry, Arthur, and William, all of whom are associated with their father in business, have been born to bless this union.

Alfred J. M. Lasche is the president of the Lasche Institute of Fermentology, and was born in Milwaukee on Oct. 4, 1867. He is a son of Ernst Robert and Marie Fredericka (Nicolai) Lasche, the former of whom was born in Rosswein, Saxony, Germany, on June 3, 1840, and the latter in Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany, April 8, 1841. The father immigrated to the United States in 1854 and located in New York, where he earned a livelihood as an expert accountant and bookkeeper. In 1858 he came to Milwaukee and remained here until the outbreak of the Civil war: and then he returned to New York and enlisted in the Twentieth New York infantry, known as the "United Turner Rifles." composed of vol- unteers from the Turner societies in New York. The first action that the regiment participated in was at the capture of Fort Hat- teras. Early in 1862 it became a part of the Third brigade, Second division, Sixth corps, and participated in the disastrous Peninsular

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campaign in which sixty-four of its enrollment were killed, wounded, or missing. Its heaviest loss was at Antietam, where one hundred and sixty-four of its number were killed, wounded, or missing. After participating at Fredericksburg, in the "Mud March," and the Chancellorsville campaign, the regiment returned to New York and was there mustered out on June 1, 1863. E. Robert Lasche was slightly wounded at the siege of Norfolk during McClellan's Peninsular campaign, and also received a wound at Antietam. After his honorable discharge from the Twentieth New York he came to Milwaukee, and after a few months re-enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Wisconsin infantry in January, 1864. Later he was sent to the Forty-fifth Wisconsin infantry to become a lieu- tenant in Company K of that regiment, and when the men were mustered into the United States service in March, 1865, he was captain of the company. In July of the same year he received another honorable discharge when the regiment was mustered out. Alfred J. M. Lasche, the subject of this memoir, completed his course in the Milwaukee public schools in 1882, and during the summer of that year visited in Germany. In the fall of that year he returned and entered the high school, and upon the completion of the prescribed course of study went to Madison, where he ma- triculated in the pharmacy course in the University of Wisconsin. In 1889 he was graduated at that institution with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy, receiving a specially engrossed certificate for meritorious scientific investigation. In 1890 he was made instructor in bacteriology in Chicago, and in 1892 became professor of bacteriology at the Hahnemann Medical College, in the same city. This position he held for two years, and on Jan. 1, 1894, he returned to Milwaukee. It was then that he established the Lasche Institute of Fermentology, incorporated under the laws of Wis- consin. The laboratory equipment of the institute is the most com- plete in the United States for bacteriological and chemical investi- gations in the fermentation industries. The director and his assist- ants spend fully a third of their time in original research work in bacteriology and chemistry. Beside this there is considerable work done at this institute in other industrial chemical fields, and there are courses of instruction given to students in fermentation chemistry. The institute since 1903 has published "Lasche's Maga- zine for the Practical Distiller." Mr. Lasche is the official chief chemist of the National Wholesale -Liquor Dealers' Association of America. During the past twenty years he has published much original work in bacteriological and chemical investigations. Fra- ternally he is prominently identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Travelers' Protective Association, and the Mil- waukee Athletic Club, and professionally is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry of England, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In politics he is a zealous upholder of the principles of the Republican party. On June 28, 1892, Mr. Lasche was united

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in marriage to Miss Mary Oswald, daughter of George and Theta (Jenkins) Oswald, of Prairie du Chien, Wis. To this union was born, on Dec. 15, 1894, a daughter, Consuelo Mary Lasche.

Archibald Middlemass, deceased, for many years a prominent figure among the florists of Milwaukee, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born on Feb. 2, 1846. His parents were Archi- bald and Anne (White) Middlemass. The father died in 1855, and shortly afterward the mother brought her six children to the United States, locating in Brooklyn, N. Y. The subject of this sketch received a somewhat limited education in the schools of his native city, but his opportunities were blighted by the necessity of his having to go to work soon after reaching this country to assist in the support of the family. In 1869 he came to Milwaukee and was made head gardener and greenhouse superintendent on the estate of David Ferguson. He sev- ered that connection to form a partnership with a Mr. Dunlap under the firm name of Dunlap & Middlemass, and their establishment they named the Rose Hill nursery. This partnership continued for a period of five years, and when Mr. Middlemass had disposed of his interest in it he erected an establishment of his own at 1019 Forest Home ave- nue. At the time of his death, on March 15, 1900, he had built up a large and flourishing business, which his widow and a daughter are now managing. Mr. Middlemass was a man with a host of friends, and his kindly, jovial disposition made him a favorite at all gatherings. He was exceptionally gifted as a singer, and probably nowhere is he more missed than at the reunions of the Scottish residents of Milwau- kee, where formerly his was the voice that led in the singing of the old country ballads. In politics he was a zealous adherent of the prin- ciples of the Republican party, but never sought public office. Like many others of his countrymen, he was an orthodox Presbyterian. Mr. Middlemass was twice married. By his first wife he had two daughters : May, now Mrs. Edgar Neustadtl, of Milwaukee ; and Ann E., living at home. His second marriage was to Miss Emma Bayley, of Milwaukee, daughter of William and Mary (Duke) Bayley. To this union were born two sons, Archie and Robin, both living at home. Fraternally he was identified with St. Andrew's Society. He was in- tensely interested in all athletics, especially Scottish games, and was known throughout the city as one of the most skillful curlers in the Milwaukee Curling Club. A street, running through what was for- merely Mr. Middlemass' property, is named after him, Middlemass avenue.

Meinrad Ternes, president of the Empire Laundry Company, one of the leading concerns of its kind in the Cream City, was born in Milwaukee on July 1, 1858. He is a son of Peter and Margaret (Braun) Ternes, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a cutter and tailor in his native land, and after coming to Mil- waukee, in 1856, he secured employment under David Adler, working at his trade. He also was later employed by Friend Brothers until the time of his demise, which occurred on April 5. 1904. His widow

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passed away on May 18, 1905, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Calvary cemetery. Of the eight children born to the parents all are living and make their home in Milwaukee. Meinrad Ternes, the subject of this review, received rather limited educational advantages at St. Mary's parochial school. At the age of thirteen years he left school to begin work as an errand boy for T. D. French, and when he left that position he started his apprenticeship as a machinist with the E. P. Allis Company. He remained with that firm for three years, and when he severed the connection it was to accept a more lucrative position with H. Morse & Company. Subsequently he entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company as a steam-fitter, and for a time he had charge of their yards in Chicago. In 1886 he returned to Milwaukee and purchased the controlling inter- est in a laundry on Martin street, known as the Standard Laundry. In 1889 he disposed of his intrest in this concern and purchased the Empire Laundry at 502 and 504 Twenty-fifth street. He conducted the business most successfully alone until 1905. when L. A. Killian purchased an interest in it. Mr. Ternes is president of the company and Mr. Killian acts as outside solicitor. The work turned out by the laundry is in large part hand-work and is known all over the city for its excellence. While Mr. Ternes is nominally a Democrat in his political belief he has little leisure to devote to the study of political issues and takes little active interest in the campaigns. Reared in the Roman Catholic faith, he is a devout communicant of that church. On June 4, 1889, Mr. Ternes was united in marriage to Miss Anna Berg, a daughter of Anton and Magdalena (Wagner) Berg, of Mil- waukee. Six children have been the issue of this union. Meinrad W. assists his father in the laundry; Frank Peter is a student at Mar- quette University ; and William Arthur, Magdalina, Margaret, and Clara are all attending St. Michael's parochial school.

Louis Adolph Killian, one of the members of the firm of the Empire Laundry Company, was born in Milwaukee on March 5, 1875. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Harmeister) Killian, the former of whom was born at Darmstadt, Germany, and the latter at Port Wash- ington, Wis. The father came direct to Milwaukee from the Father- land while still a young man, and he became one of the first butchers to enter the employ of the then newly organized Plankinton Packing Company. He remained with this firm and its successor, the Cudahy company, until he retired in 1893. His death occurred on July 17, 1895, and his widow now occupies the old homestead. Of the eight children born to the parents, four-Michael, Louise, Anna, and Louis A .- survive. Louis A. Killian, the subject of this review, received his educational advantages in the public and St. Mary's parochial schools. When but fifteen years of age he found employment as cash boy in the T. A. Chapman Company and remained in the position for two years. He then went to work in the E. P. Allis shops and was employed by that firm for a period of ten years, including his term as apprentice as a machinist and the period of work as a journeyman. During the

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three years immediately following he was in the employ of a firm manufacturing mining machinery. On May 15, 1904, he purchased of Mr. Ternes an interest in the Empire Laundry and has since devoted his time exclusively to its management. Since he has assumed his connection with the firm business has prospered, and he has come to be known as an enthusiastic, hustling business man. In his political relations Mr. Killian is independent of party ties, preferring to exer- cise his right of suffrage as his conscience and judgment dictate. Reared in the Catholic church he has always been a devout com- municant of that faith. His only fraternal relations are with the Cath- olic Order of Foresters. On May 30, 1900, Mr. Killian was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Benstein, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Marx) Benstein, of Woodland, Wis. To this union was born, on Dec. 9, 1904, a daughter, Marion.

William Walter Hoehnen .- The successful man of the Twen- tieth century is the one who chooses his vocation with reference to his inclination and natural ability and adheres to the business of his choice. Such a man is William Hoehnen, the subject of this brief review. He is a native of the Cream City, of sturdy German stock, born in Milwau- kee on March 28, 1868, the son of Peter and Anna Hoehnen. His father was born and reared in Germany, where he met and married his wife, who was also a native of the dear "Vaterland." Mr. Hoehnen came to Milwaukee when he was a young man, in the early fifties, and started in business as a general contractor. He continued in this vocation with gratifying success until the time he retired from active life, in 1888, to enjoy a well-earned rest in the sunset years of life. He passed from life in 1898. During his life Mr. Hoehnen reared five children-four boys and one girl. The boys all live in Milwaukee, but the daughter is married and now resides in Chicago. William, our subject, received his education in the public and Catholic schools of Milwaukee. At the age of sixteen he began his first labor as a shoe- cutter for the Bradley & Metcalf Company, shoe manufacturers. He began at the bottom, but by hard work and faithfulness to duty worked his way to the top and gained the position of head shoc-cutter. After a few years he went to Chicago, but did not remain very long. In 1893 Mr. Hoehnen returned to Milwaukee, and with his brother. Joseph P. Hoehnen, established a laundry company at 712 State street. Five years later their business had increased to such an extent that they moved to their present large quarters at 617 State street, where they are doing a large and prosperous business. The company is known by the firm name of the New Method Hand Laundry and conducts a large towel service. Mr. Hoehnen is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in politics. He is a member of the Laundrymen's Asso- ciation, is affiliated with the Eagles, and is one of the popular business men of the city. On Jan. 25. 1902, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hoehnen and Carrie, the daughter of Herman and Carrie Nick, resi- cents of Milwaukee. One child has come to bless this union : William Clarence, born Nov. 10, 1903. The parents are communicants of the German Catholic church.

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Peter Canar, who for many years has been identified with the growth and development of the city of Milwaukee, was born at Assel- born, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, March 25, 1860. His parents were Balthasar and Mary (Thill) Canar, both natives of Luxemburg. His father was a farmer in the old country and immigrated to America with his family in 1875. They came directly to Wisconsin and located in Dodge county, where Balthasar Canar engaged in farming. For six years the family lived in Dodge county, but in 1881 Mr. Canar moved to Milwaukee, began practice as a veterinary surgeon, and con- tinued in this profession up to the time of his death, in 1900, his wife having died only a few months before, and both were laid to rest in Calvary cemetery. A family of six children, consisting of three boys and three girls, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Canar, and five of them are still living. Peter received his scholastic training in the public schools of Luxemburg until he was fourteen, when his parents left the Fatherland for the new world. He worked on the farm with his father in Dodge county until 1879, when he went to Hartford, Wis., to learn harness making. After serving his apprenticeship he worked at his trade in West Bend, Wis., until 1881. Mr. Canar was ambitious, like so many of the fine German-Americans who form a large part of the population of this great commonwealth, and determined to go to the city to make his fortune. Just before Christmas, in 1881, he came to Milwaukee and found employment in the Campell Laundry. For five years he rendered faithful service, and in 1887, having mastered the running of a laundry, established a laundry with his brother, George, at 501 Cedar street, meeting with gratifying success in their new line. The business increased rapidly and it was necessary to find larger quarters. In 1897 the laundry was moved to 522 State street, where it is located at the present time. In July, 1905, George with- drew from active participation in the business, and at the present time it is conducted by his brother Peter, alone. Mr. Canar has never affili- ated with any political party and votes as his conscience dictates. He believes in putting the best man into office regardless of party. On March 26. 1891, Mr. Canar was married to Otillie, the daughter of John and Theresa Ronge, residents of Milwaukee. To them have been born two sons: Alford, born Oct. II. 1892; and Harold. who died in infancy. Mr. Canar is a member of the Laundrymen's Club, and with his family belongs to the German Catholic church.

August Oesterreich, president and founder of the Novelty Dye Works, one of the foremost industries in Milwaukee, was born in Sax- onv, Germany, on Jan. 17, 1858. He is a son of Carl August and Wilhelmina Oesterreich, both of whom were born in Saxony, the for- mer in 1823 and the latter in 1830. The father in his native country was a dyer, and had succeeded his father in business. In 1888 he dis- posed of his business and came to Milwaukee, where his death occurred on Jan. 4. 1907. His widow now makes her home with the subject of this review. Of the five children born to the parents, one daughter and four sons, all are living but reside in different sections of the coun-

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try. August Oesterreich received the excellent educational advantages afforded by the schools of his native country until he was fourteen years old, at which age he left school to become apprenticed to the business in which his father was engaged. When after two years he had mastered it he went to Werdau, Saxony, where for two more years he was engaged in a large dye works. In order to become as proficient as possible in his trade he traveled for five years, stopping in the largest cities to learn modern methods. He then returned to the parental home and remained to assist his father until 1887. when he emigrated to America. He came direct to Milwaukee after land- ing, and secured employment with the Cream City Knitting Works,

with which concern he worked for three years as head dyer. During the year immediately following he was connected with the Badger Knitting Company in the same capacity, and then for four years held a like position with the Van Dyke Knitting Company. On June 4, 1894, Mr. Oesterreich opened the business which is now known as the Milwaukee Novelty Dye Works, at the corner of Jefferson and Mich- igan streets. In 1896 the firm was incorporated under the above name. During the past year the fine building, modern in every detail, was erected at 369-371-373 Jefferson street. As an evidence of the growth of the business is the fact that within the past few years the number of men employed has increased from three to ninety. Fraternally and socially Mr. Oesterreich is associated with the Milwaukee Musical Society : is president of the Maennerchor : is a trustee of the South Side Turnverein, a member of the Masonic order, and he is a director of the South Side Civic Association. n his political relations he has Republican proclivities, but is not actively identified with the party. In his religious relations he is affiliated with the Lutheran church. On Nov. 7. 1880, Mr. Oiesterreich was united in marriage to Miss Anna Sohre, a native of Germany. To this union have been born six chil- dren : Ella, now Mrs. Peter Meisenheimer : Margaret, William. Erma. Rudolph, and Ervin. William is now secretary of the company which his father founded.

John Rossow .- In this Twentieth century of progress, men appreciate above all things that success which comes by dint of indi- vidual effort and aggressiveness. The subject of this sketch belongs to that class of men who may with honor be called self-made, having carved success from hard and trying conditions. John Rossow was born at Swatgengea, Germany. Aug. 16, 1840. being the son of John and Caroline Rossow, both born and reared in the same town. His father was a laborer in the Fatherland up to the time he immigrated to America with his family in 1866. He located in Milwaukee and worked at various occupations until his death, in 1886. He was sur- vived by his widow and four children-one girl and three boys. One of the sons, Henry, is dead, and Frank, the second brother, has retired from active business. John, the subject of this brief review, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native town, where he gained a prac- tical education. In 1865 he left home and came to America. After landing on the shores of the United States he came directly to Mil-

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waukee and found employment as a butcher. Within a few years he had accumulated sufficient capital to begin buying and selling cattle, which was a most profitable business in the early days in Milwaukee. Subsequently he was employed by Pfister & Vogel to buy their hides, and his services were so valuable that he remained with the firm eight- een years. When he severed his connection with it, in 1900, the firm lost a confidential and trusted employe. From 1900 to 1906, Mr. Rossow was associated with A. Trostle & Sons, but he was reaching an age when the business harness chafed, and he retired from active life to enjoy a well-deserved respite from business cares. Mr. Ros- sow wears no party collar and is independent in his politics, voting for the man who in his judgment is best fitted for the office. He has belonged for thirty years to the German Lutheran church, at the corner of Juneau and Milwaukee avenue (Grace church), and to the Old Settlers' Club. On Sept. 18, 1867, he was united in marriage with Minnie, the daughter of Frederick W. and Eliza (Brandt) Zim- merman, of Milwaukee. Five children were born to bless this union : Bertha, Minnie, Eliza, John, and Emma. Bertha is the wife of Fred Schultz, who is employed with the Charles Solomon Company as deco- rator and painter; Minnie is at home with her parents; Eliza is the wife of Louis Bandow, the proprietor of a bottlers' supply house on Sycamore street ; John is married to Clara Ash, daughter of Ed. Ash, of Milwaukee, and resides at 425 Thirty-eighth street; and Emma is the wife of Joe Frederick, of Paris, Wis.

Ernest Krahnstover, who has the honor of being the founder of one of the substantial business houses of Milwaukee, the Badger Dye Works, at 99 North avenue, was born at Kostock, on the Warnow, North Germany, March 13, 1846. His parents were Henry Krahn- stover, who was also born and reared in Kostock. The father received an excellent education in his native town, and after leaving school learned the jeweler's trade. When he had thoroughly learned this business he established himself in a store of his own, carrying on a general retail jewelry business, in which he was very successful. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Krahnstover, four daughters and one son, the subject of this sketch being the only one of the family who came to America. The elder Krahnstover was summoned by the angel of death in 1872, on Nov. 5, and was survived by his widow until 1907. Both were buried in their native town. Ernest, our subject, was given the benefit of a liberal education in his native land, and at the age of sixteen started to learn his trade, the art of dyeing. After serving his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman in nearly all the large cities of Germany. In 1869, when twenty-three years of age, he established a business of his own and met with marked success. Mr. Krahnstover was ambitious, and desiring a wider field for his activities immigrated to America in 1889 and located in Milwaukee. He started a dve-works at IT-115 North avenue, of which he was sole proprietor until 1904. when his business was taken in charge by his sons, Fred E. and William. During his residence in the Cream City, Mr. Krahnstover has built up a substantial business house by his own

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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 77

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