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 8

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

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William Watson Perry, a regularly ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church and a lineal descendant of the great admiral who fought the battle on Lake Erie and reported to the President of the United States, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." was born in Milwaukee, July 28, 1853. He is the son of James and Ellen (Smith) Perry, the former of whom was born on Nov. 30, 1804, in Manchester, England, and died in Milwaukee on Nov. 30. 1864; and the latter was born in Burnley, England, April 22, 1813. and died on Jan. 19, 1885, in North Prairie, Wis. James Perry, the father, came to Wisconsin in 1848, engaging with the lumber firm of Benjamin Bagnall & Co. Our subject was educated in the dis- trict schools of Wisconsin and at the Agricultural College at Co- lumbus, Ohio. After his graduation he was regularly ordained and entered actively the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. At present he is pastor of Westminster Mission, located at 1095 North Pierce street, Milwaukee. On Aug. 19, 1879, he married Miss Emma G., daughter of Darius W. and Ann Stark LaBarre, of Muk- wonago, Wis., and their marital union has been blessed with five children as follows: Jessie Ellen, Ralph Emerson, Fave M., Helen M. and Ruth J. Rev. Mr. Perry has attained the highest honors and is a leader in the councils of Masonry. He was made a Mason in Lake Lodge, No. 189, of Milwaukee, and received the degree of Master Mason on July 24. 1876. He received the Capitular degrees in Waukesha Chapter No. 37, and the Cryptic degrees in Waukesha Council of Royal and Select Masters. The orders of Knighthood were conferred upon him in St. John's Commandery, No. 21, at Reedsburg, Wis. He demitted from the various Masonie bodies

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

in which he received his degrees and affiliated with Madison Lodge, No. 5. Madison Chapter, No.4, and Robert Macoy Commandery, No. 3, at Madison, Wis. He received the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in 1889, and is a member of Wisconsin Con- sistory, Milwaukee. He received the Thirty-third degree in Boston, Mass., in 1904. He is also a member of Tripoli Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He served as Senior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin when N. M. Littlejohn was Grand Master, and was afterward Senior Warden. He was made deputy grand master in 1894 and at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge was chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master. He was made Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the state of Wisconsin. In September, 1900, he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Masonic Grand bodies in Wisconsin to succeed John W. Laflin, deceased, and he now belongs to Damascus Lodge, No. 290, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Republican. Rev. Mr. Perry is a gentleman of scholarly attainments, deeply read in the rich lore of the ages, and one who receives, because he is entitled to it, the gracious consideration and high regard of all who know him.

David Ginzburger, a prominent dealer in bags, boxes and hides, in Milwaukee, was born in Munich, Bavaria, on Feb. 14, 1833. He was the only child of Leopold and Julia Ginzburger, both natives of Bavaria, the former having been born in 1793 and the latter in 1814. The mother died when David was but three days old, and the father married again, having several children by his. second union. The father was an agriculturist of prominence, making a specialty of the culture of hops and the breeding of silkworms. He was the recipient of several medals as a recognition of the fine quality of his hops. The father left his native land in 1854, having been sent for by his son, who had come to this country the year previous. From the time of his arrival to that of his death in 1860, he earned a livelihood by the teaching of Hebrew in Philadelphia, two daughters keeping house for the father and son. David Ginz- burger took advantage of the educational facilities offered by the Bavarian schools, and from that time until his coming to America in 1853 he worked in a commercial bank in Munich, Bavaria. He located in Philadelphia and for seven years served as a bookkeeper in a banking concern. Then for short periods he worked in whole- sale dry goods and wholesale millinery houses. Finally he went to Tennessee and located in a small town about twenty miles east of Memphis, where he established a retail dry goods store. He was the first merchant who had ever traded goods for produce and was successful in a business way. But the prevalence of malaria made it necessary that he leave the locality and he moved to Washing- ton, D. C., where he established an office for the supply of sub- stitutes for men drafted for the Union army. This work occupied him until 1863, when he first came to Wisconsin, locating in La Crosse. As a means of livelihood there he sold dry goods from a wagon which he drove around the country. In 1873 he came to

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ASTON, LENOKY TILDEN

BIOGRAPHICAL

Milwaukee. For two years he wholesaled confectionery in the country immediately surrounding the city, using the same method that he had in selling dry goods at La Crosse. When he retired from that line of work he went into the business of buying and selling hides and of wholesaling and retailing boxes and bags. This has been his line of work ever since and today he supplies some of the largest wholesale houses with boxes. Although well advanced in years he still retains his active participation in the business which he has developed to such success. Mr. Ginzburger has been twice married. His first wife was Sophia Ensell, a native of Hohen- zollern, Hechingen, Germany, now deceased, by whom he had seven children. They are Julia, now Mrs. Conn; Robert ; Augusta ; Leo; Hattie, now Mrs. Manstach; Gustav ; and Blanche. His sec- ond wife was formerly Miss Matilda Strauss, who was born in the state of New York and came to Milwaukee in the early forties when but three years of age. She is a daughter of Mier and Regina Strauss, the former of whom is one of the pioneers of the city and a well-known wholesale tobacco dealer.

Robert C. Gehrke, a member of the well known German-Ameri- can family of that name, and a prominent and successful carpenter- contractor, living at 725 Island avenue, Milwaukee, was born at 152 Lloyd street, Milwaukee, July 5, 1870, the son of Frederick and Maria (Rapp) Gehrke, the former a native of the province of Posen, Germany, and the latter a native of Baden, Germany. His paternal grandparents were Carl and Henrietta (Tischler) Gehrke, of the province of Posen, Germany. His grandfather was a cabinetmaker by trade in the Fatherland, and in the year 1857, accompanied by his wife and their three children, started for America on one of the slow sailing vessels, and were fifty-six days en route. Upon finally landing at New York harbor, they came directly west to Milwau- kee. where Mr. Gehrke resumed his trade of cabinet maker, and was also later associated with his son, Frederick, in his carpen- ter contracting work. He died in the city of Milwaukee in 1879, and was survived by his wife until Jan. 15, 1900. Of their three children, Frederick, the second child, born Feb. 28, 1843, alone sur- vives : Mollie, who married Wm. Groskreutz, and Johanna, wife of Fred Kanitz, are both deceased, as is Mr. Groskreutz. Frederick, our subject's father, was given only a limited opportunity to obtain an education before starting out in the world to make his own liveli- hood. He early learned the trade of a cabinet maker under his father's instruction, and in 1864, when he was 21 years of age, he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was employed as a carpenter in the service of the United States government. After working there for a few months he was seized with a severe fever and was compelled to abandon his employment. He returned North to his home in Milwaukee, and resumed his occupation as a cabinet maker until 1867. In the latter vear he made an extended trip to Europe, visited his old home, and journeyed through many parts of the old world. After his marriage in May, 1868, he was employed for a year by the old Mississippi railroad at Milwaukee, and in the year

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

1871 he embarked in business on his own account. He started a store and saloon at No. 152 Lloyd street, Milwaukee, which he con- ducted with profit up to the time of his death, Jan. 5, 1907. In addition to his other business interests Mr. Gehrke handled a considerable amount of real estate, and made quite a number of lucrative investments in that line. In politics he was an adherent of the Democratic party, to whose success he contributed in many ways, though he never sought office for himself. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church all of his life. He reared a large family of nine children, of whom Robert C., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. The other children are Emma, wife of Ewald Schmitz, residing in Eschweiler, Rheinland; Augusta, wife of August Rother, of the Standard Bottling Co., Milwaukee; Min- nie, wife of William Schocknecht, of Milwaukee; Emily, wife of Theo. Biedermann, of Milwaukee ; Willie, living at home ; Paul, mar- ried to Caroline Metzler and living in Milwaukee; Otto, a fireman for the C., M. & St. Paul railway, residing at Milwaukee, and Al- fred, living at home. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, and later attended a business college for a year. Upon leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade, and has since followed that occupation, also doing a general contracting business, and dealing in real estate to some extent. His business prospered and grew in volume from year to year, and in 1904 he went abroad, visited the home of his forefathers, and most of the countries of Europe. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party, but has never held public office. He is an unmarried man, and resides with his widowed mother at the home, 725 Island aventie.

William Krahnstover, one of the popular and progressive young business men of Milwaukee, and manager of the Badger Dye Works at III-115 North avenue, was born in the town of Ro- stock, Germany, Feb. 10, 1879, the son of Ernst and Louisa (Der- nehl) Krahnstover, native of the same place. His parents grew to maturity and married in their native land, where Mr. E. Krahn- stover learned the art of dyeing and coloring fabrics, and where he operated dye-works from 1870 until 1888. In the year 1885 he made a preliminary trip to the United States in search of a good business location, and in the year 1888 he sold out his business in Germany, and, accompanied by his wife and family, came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he founded the Badger Dye Works on North avenue. Our subject is the oldest of their six children, the other members of the family being Frederick E., who is associated with our subject in the dye works ; Augusta ; Julius, student at the Textile School of Kre- feld, Germany; Albert; and Harry, also connected with the dye works. William was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, and when he was fifteen years of age entered his father's works in order to master the details of the dyeing business. as well as the process of chemical cleaning. He has made this his life work and has become thoroughly conversant with every branch of the intricate and difficult art. Since the'year 1903 he has served in the capacity

BIOGRAPHICAL

of manager of the works, and under his efficient supervision the business has expanded and grown to very large proportions. Besides the office and large works at 887-891 Third street, the Badger Dye Works maintain stores at 109 North avenue, 711 Grand avenue, 352 Grove street, 1107 Vliet street, 547 East Water, 320 West Water and 557 East Water street, Milwaukee. They make a specialty of dyeing and dry cleaning ladies' and gentlemen's fine wearing ap- parel, velvet, plush and damask portieres, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, lace curtains, etc. The dye works are up-to-date in every particular. the labor employed is highly skilled, and as a result their product is of a highly satisfactory nature. Mr. Krahnstover is an affable and courteous gentleman, well liked by his business associates, and is a fine type of the go-ahead young business man. He has never been married and resides with his father at the home, No. 99 North avenue. He is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 1I, Knights of Pythias, as is his brother Frederick also; he is likewise secretary and treasurer of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners.

James H. Van Ells, of 1262 Kinnickinnie avenue, one of the hon- ored pioneer residents and business men of Milwaukee, was born in the town of Bergen, Holland, on April 7, 1837, the son of Jacob and Ellen Van Ells, both of whom were natives of the same place. His parents grew to maturity at Bergen and were there married. Jacob was a dealer in horses, cattle and grain while living in Holland, and in the year 1844 embarked for America with his family on one of the old sailing vessels of that period. After a tedious voyage of some nine weeks' duration, he finally landed at New York, whence he pro- ceeded to Albany. He remained in that city for some years, and was subsequently a resident of Buffalo, N. Y., for a number of years. In 1849 he came to Milwaukee with his family, making the trip by way of the Great Lakes and canal. On his arrival he em- barked in the meat packing business, and after a number of years retired from active business. His death took place in 1893, aged 96 years and 6 months ; his wife had previously died in 1888, at an ad- vanced age. Both were faithful members of the Catholic church, and they reared a large family of seven children. Of these the three eldest : Gertrude, John and Pauline, are deceased ; the other four are James H., the subject of this sketch ; George, formerly a mill man, who now resides at 415 Potter avenue; Martin, a miller at Camp Douglas, Wis. ; and Harry, who makes his home in the South. Our subject was educated in the

public schools, and upon leaving school was employed for a number of years in teaming and hauling supplies between Milwaukee and Stevens Point, Wis., making his home at the latter place. In 1866, when he was 20 years of age, he came to Milwaukee and entered the employ of the Bay View Rolling Mills. where he was technically known as a hooker. He was severely in- jured at the mills in 1893, and abandoned his work there. He next ran a confectionery store for a time, and in 1895 embarked in the hardware business, which is now being operated at No. 1262 Kin-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

nickinnic avenue by his son, Frank J., and his son-in-law, Wm. F. Krock, under the firm name of Krock & Van Ells. Like his parents before him, Mr. Van Ells was reared in the Catholic faith, of which he has always been a zealous supporter. Politically he is allied with the Republican party, though he has never sought public of- fice on his own behalf. He was united in marriage, June 22, 1865, to Miss Carrie Burkhart, a daughter of F. and Barbara (Kreich- baum) Burkhart, residents of Milwaukee. His wife's father was a native of Switzerland, and her mother was born in the state of Pennsylvania. They came west to Milwaukee in 1846, where Mr. Burkhart was a painter and a marble worker by trade. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Van Ells reared a family of four children, all of whom are now living. The oldest, Margaret, is unmarried and lives at home; Frank J. is in the hard- ware business on Kinnickinnic avenue, as above stated, is married to Margaret Diedrich, and has one son, Howard; Mary, the third child, is the wife of Ferd. Leistikow, resides at 1182 Kinnickinnic avenue, and has one son, Markwell; the youngest child, Catherine, is the wife of William Krock, senior partner in the firm of Krock & Van Ells, and their one son is named William F., Jr.

John Becker, M. D., a physician of high standing in the city of Milwaukee, was born in New York city on Aug. II, 1853, son of Dr. John and Anna Maria Becker, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, Germany, the father being born on Feb. 22, 1822, and the mother on March 10, 1824. The ancestors on both sides have been military men, and some of them have been engaged in various noted engagements on European battle-fields. The parents of the sub- ject of this review came to America in the latter part of 1848 and located in the city of New York, where the father completed his medical studies, graduating at the New York Medical College in 1855. He practiced his profession for over twenty-five years and died at Pittsburg, Pa., in 1887. The mother died in 1882, at Brook- lyn. N. Y. Dr. John Becker, whose name introduces this review, received his literary education at Minrath's Institution in New York city, and then entered upon a very thorough preparation for the medical profession. He first entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College in the city of New York, and after taking a course in that institution spent some time in the Long Island Hospital Medical College at Brooklyn, N. Y. He then matriculated at the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, where he graduated with the class of 1890. Following his graduation he practiced his profession for sev- eral years in Pennsylvania and Ohio, successively, and in 1896 lo- cated in the city of Milwaukee, where he has since been engaged in general practice and has met with unequivocal success. He was married on May 30, 1882, to Miss Katharina Muller, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Heinrich and Elisabetha (Bauer) Mul- ler, who reside in Bavaria, Germany. To this union there have been born three children: Johanna, Anna and Angelica Josephina, aged twenty-six, twenty-four and twenty years. respectively. Dr. Becker is a Democrat in his political views, a Roman Catholic in his church

BIOGRAPHICAL

affiliations, and he is an honorary member of the St. Michael's So- ciety.

Milton M. Spitz, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of medicine in the city of Milwaukee for about six years, and in addi- tion to caring for a large and representative practice he is an in- structor in therapeutics in the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons (his alma mater), attendant in internal medicine at the free dispensary of the same institution, and also the attending physi- cian at Mt. Sinai hospital. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on Feb. 12, 1877, son of Morris and Ida (Moohr) Spitz, the former of whom was born in Austria-Hungary, and the latter in Chicago, Ill. The father migrated to America while a young man and located in Chi- cago. The maternal grandfather and his wife, whose maiden name was Babette Oppenheimer, also settled in Chicago at an early day and there the husband died, after which the widow removed to Mil- waukee and resided in that city until her death, twenty-five years later. The parents of the subject of this review took up their resi- dence in Milwaukee in 1883, and for'a number of years the father was engaged in the mercantile business, but he is now living in re- tirement after an active and successful career. Of the seven chil- dren born to himself and wife, six-three sons and three daughters -- are living. Dr. Spitz received his literary education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a high-school course, and then turned his attention to the study of medicine. After due prepara- tion he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, and after a thorough course graduated in that institution with the class of 1901. For two years immediately following his graduation he served as interne in the Michael-Reese Hospital, and during the past six years has been engaged in the active practice of his profession. He is independent in politics, and his professional and other associations are as follows: The Milwaukee, the Mil- waukee County, the Wisconsin State and the American Medical associations ; the Masonic Order ; Modern Woodmen of America .; Royal Arcanum; B'nai B'rith, and the Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity.

Otto F. Krueger, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Milwaukee, was born at Beaver Dam, Dodge county, Wis., on Feb. 25, 1876, son of Fred and Elizabeth (Rupp) Krueger, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Fond du Lac, Wis. The maternal grandfather was Peter Rupp, a native of Germany, who migrated to America in the '40s and settled in Fond du Lac. WVis., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat in politics, very active in public affairs, and served as sheriff of Fond du Lac county at one time. Fred Krueger, the father of the subject of this review, migrated to America and settled in Dodge county, Wis., in 1868, following the occupation of a general mer- chant there until 1885, when he removed to the city of Milwaukee, where he and his faithful wife now reside. For some time after lo- cating in this city he was connected with the Cream City Sash and Door Company, and he now is acting as city agent. To himself

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

and wife there have been born five children, all of whom are living. Dr. Krueger received his preparatory education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a course at the East Division high school, after which he took up the study of medicine. After some preliminary reading he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons at Milwaukee and graduated from that institution with the class of 1896. Since the year of his graduation he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession, his base of operations being in the city of Milwaukee with the exception of one year, when he was located at Hale's Corners. Dr. Krueger is a zealous adherent of the Republican party, giving an unswerving allegiance to the men and measures of that organization, but he has never held official position. Fraternally he has membership in the order of Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Columbian Knights, and he is also a member of the Ger- mania Society.

William H. Linke, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of medicine in the city of Milwaukee since 1897, during nine years of which period in addition to his other duties he officiated as demon- strator of anatomy at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Sur- geons, and for two years lectured on Histology. He was born at Janesville, Wis., on Jan. 28, 1856, son of Henry and Hannah ( Har- rison) Linke, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter of Wakefield, England. The father migrated from his native land to America about 1853 and located in Philadelphia, but after a year's residence in the Quaker City he continued his journey west- ward and settled in Janesville, Wis., where he followed the occupa- tion of shoemaking for a number of years. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in Company A, Thirteenth regiment, Wisconsin infantry, and served with that command until the close of the war. With this regiment he participated in the battle of Nashville, and after the fall of Richmond accompanied it to Indianola, Tex., and after- ward to San Antonio, a terrible march of 145 miles, with the ther- mometer at 100 degrees. Through all of the seemingly aimless wanderings and hard marches of the regiment, with few heavy en- gagements to compensate, the conduct of the men was admirable, and Adjutant-General Gaylord says: "The tireless vigilance which relaxes not, day by day and week after week, although lacking the excitement which accompanies the movement of armies, cannot fail to command our admiration and respect for the Thirteenth Wiscon- sin volunteer infantry." The regiment was mustered out on Nov. 24, 1865, after which Mr. Linke returned to his home at Janesville, where he worked at his trade until 1869. He then removed to Hills- boro, Vernon county, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his allotted years, dying on March 12, 1881. The mother of the sub- ject of this review came to Milwaukee about 1853 with her parents, Benjamin and Hannah (Hall) Harrison, who spent their last days on a farm about fourteen miles from the city. The father was a cooper by trade. Dr. Linke received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Janesville, including a high school course, and for a

BIOGRAPHICAL

number of years followed different avocations before entering upon the study of medicine. Finally deciding upon the latter as his life's profession, he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated in that institution on April 6, 1897, since which time he has been engaged in the active practice as stated above. He was married on Jan. 30, 1883, to Miss Sarah J. Neville, of Chicago, daughter of Philip and Alice ( Carey ) Neville, both of whom are deceased, and to this union there have been born four children : Henry Philip, who died at the age of nineteen years ; William, born in 1887, now a bookkeeper for the Schlitz Brewing Company ; Francis, born in 1889, and Ruth, born in 1900. Dr. Linke adheres to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party, al- though he has never essayed the role of an office-seeker, and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church.

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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 8

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