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 82
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the early period. His demise occurred on Dec. 20, 1904, and his widow died on July 4, 1906. Three sons : Samuel O., John Byron, and Lucius Sidney, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neff. They all reside with their mother.
Nicholas A. Diderrich, one of the prosperous farmers of North Milwaukee, was born on the farm where he now lives, Sept. 3, 1862, the son of John N. and Margaretha (Gengler) Diderrich, both natives of Germany. The father, who was born in 1832, came to the United States in 1860, and shortly afterward settled on eighty acres of partly cleared land in section eleven, of the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, Wis. He worked hard, clearing and improving the place, and afterward added to his holdings by securing thirty-nine acres more in section eleven, eighty acres in section five, as well as a number of other farms. He was a staunch Democrat in politics and held a number of local offices during his life. He was a faithful Catholic all his life, and was justly esteemed and respected by all his neighbors, by whom he was regarded as one of the substantial and successful farmers of the locality. His death occurred at home on July 3, 1891. Our sub- jec's mother came to the United States from Germany with her parents, Adam and Catherine Gengler, in the year 1843. Her father located on 160 acres of wild land in section nine, town of Granville, Milwaukee county, Wis., and was a farmer all his life. Nicholas A. Diderrich is the oldest surviving member of a family of thirteen children, of whom six are still living, to-wit: Nicholas A .; Barbara; Jacob, a farmer in the town of Granville; Susanna; Annie, and Mary Jane. Nicholas A. received a good common school education, and resided at home with his parents until 1883. Ever since 1885 he has owned the old place where he was born, and where he now lives, consisting of 153 acres of land, practically all cleared and finely improved. It is one of the finest farms in this section of the state and produces excellent crops of corn, oats, wheat, and other grain and forage plants, and Mr. Diderrich also does an extensive dairy farming business. His political views have always been of an independent character, and he is known as an independent voter. He has for some years taken a keen and active interest in politics, and has been honored with a number of local offices ; served as justice of the peace from 1892 to 1908, has been treasurer of the school board for a period of twelve years, etc. He was born and bred in the Catholic faith, and is a faithful son of the church. Mr. Diderrich has been married twice: first to Miss Catharine Thill, of Ozaukee county, Wis., who died on Sept. 22, 1897; second, to Miss Annie Kemp, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., on Feb. 5, 1901. He is the father of six children, whose names are as follows: Lucy, Margaret, Alois, Raymond, and Stella. Our sub- ject is one of the most popular and highly respected members of the community in which he lives, has a large number of warm friends, and is rated as a highly successful farmer.
Gottlob Bossert, secretary of the Pfister & Vogel Leather Company, was born at Tubingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, on May 20, 1826. He attended the public schools until he was fourteen
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years of age, studying French, Latin, German, arithmetic, reading, and writing, beside which he had special instruction in English. In 1840 he began his apprenticeship in the mercantile business in the establishment conducted by his father and an uncle, and in Fbruary, 1843, obtained a situation in a wholesale house at Mann- heim, first as assistant entry clerk and subsequently as assistant bookkeeper. The serious illness of his father recalled him to Tu- bingen in October, 1845, and subsequently the death of that parent, on May 18, 1846, necessitated his remaining there until September, 1848. When he left it was with the intention of migrating to the United States, but upon arriving at Bremen he found a situation awaiting him as bookkeeper, and he accepted it. In October, 1851, he was again recalled to Tubingen for the purpose of disposing of some affairs connected with the father's and uncle's partnership. Mr. Bossert anticipated that when matters were straightened out the uncle would retire from active participation in business and would turn over to his son and Mr. Bossert the management of the mercantile house. The uncle, however, finally determined, after the business had been inventoried and arranged preparatory to a transfer, not to withdraw, and Mr. Bossert made up his mind not to longer put off his journey to the United States. During his residence in Bremen he had made the acquaintance of parties who cheerfully gave him letters of recommendation and intro- duction to firms in New York and elsewhere, and with these he left in Bremen on Aug. 20, 1852, on the barque "Hermine," Captain Rasche commanding. The voyage was made without mishap and he landed in New York harbor on Sept. 24, 1852, just thirty-five days out from Bremen. He found employment as assistant book- keeper in a French exporting and importing house, the firm being Firmin Consinery & Company, of 28 South Williams street. The
business of the house was with England, France, the Orient, Smyrna, South America, and Buenos Ayres. While the connec- tion with the concern helped him in a great many ways, especially in the knowledge of American institutions and business methods. it offered no promise of further advancement and he determined to seek the opportunities offered further west. Accordingly, in September, 1856, he severed his connection with the firm and left for Buffalo, N. Y. Remaining there but a short time, he continued westward to Ann Arbor, Mich .; and thence to Chicago. After a stay of short duration in the latter city, he came on to Milwau- kee, arriving early in the year 1857, and found employment with Guido Pfister and Frederick Vogel. This was the beginning of his business career in Milwaukee. Early in 1860 Mr. Bossert was the recipient of an offer to enter a partnership with John Rudolphy in the wholesale drug business in New York, and he accepted, leaving Milwaukee on the first of May. The financial depression just prior to the breaking out of hostilities between the North and the South crippled New York commerce, and Mr. Bossert's busi- ness did not prove as successful as anticipated. He had remained in friendly correspondence with Mr. Pfister during his absence
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from Milwaukee, and when the proposition was made to him to return to Milwaukee and again enter Mr. Pfister's employ he determined to accept, and on May 1, 1862, left New York for Mil- waukee. In 1872 the Pfister & Vogel Company was organized, and Mr. Bossert became a member of the corporation and secretary of the company. In 1878 the number of directors was increased from three to five, Fred Vogel, Jr., and Charles F. Pfister being added to the board. After the death of Guido Pfister, in February, 1889, and of Mr. Vogel, in October, 1892, August H. Vogel and A. C. Helmholz became directors. During all these years Mr. Bossert has retained his connection with the firm as secretary and director. Since Mr. Bossert's first arrival in Milwaukee he has visited his native land three times. His first trip was made in 1866, when he had a pleasant visit with his mother, all his sisters and their husbands, a brother, and an aunt on the paternal side, all of whom were then living. The second trip was made in 1868, in company with his daughter, Anna, and the last in the fall and winter of 1892 and 1893, accompanied by his wife, his son Henry, and his daughters, Anna and Charlotte. The return from the last voyage was made by way of Genoa, in April, 1893. On June 5, 1857, was celebrated Mr. Bossert's marriage to Miss Anna Maier, of Ann Arbor, Mich. To this union were born eight chil- dren : Wilhelmina, Clara, Anna, Fritz, Philip, Hugo, Henry, and Charlotte. Mr. Bossert, although well advanced in years, pos- sesses the vigor of a much younger man, and is a striking example of that type of sturdy, German-American pioneers, who have fig- ured so conspicuously in the development of the great Northwest.
Frank Seemann, the owner and manager of one of the largest and most popular grocery houses in the Cream City, is a German by birth, born at Laurenceburg, Jan. 18, 1850, the son of Chris and Mary (Odie) Seemann, who were born in Germany in 1808 and 1810, respectively. The mother's family were tillers of the soil in Germany, never immigrating to America. They lived in the mother country all their days and passed peacefully away when eighty-five and eighty-six years of age, having passed more than the alloted three-score years and ten. Mr. Seemann's parents wre also farmers in the Fatherland, where they resided all their lives. Frank received the benefits of a practical education in the public schools of his native land, and at an early age began to work on a farm. Like so many young Germans, he heard of the many opportunities offered to young men in America and deter- mined to seek his fortune in the new world. When only eighteen years of age he bade good-bye to home and kindred and sailed for the United States. After landing he came west, and in 1868 worked on a farm owned by a Mr. Garlick, near Davenport, Iowa. Two years later, after learning the English language, he began to work for the Rock Island railroad system with a construction crew at Monmouth, Ill. At different times he was in Arkansas and Tennessee. In 1871 Mr. Seemann came to Milwaukee and entered the employ of the E. P. Allis Foundry Company, on Clinton
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street, as a molder. After spending three years at this vocation Mr. Seemann was employed at the coal docks on the Milwaukee water front. In 1884 he began to buy cattle in Milwaukee county and remained in the business for two years, when he embarked in the grocery line at his present site, 1473-79 Green Bay avenue. Mr. Seemann has built up a large and substantial business by his fair dealing, catering to his customer's desires, and a determination to please. He is now recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the city, and he has a host of friends who rely on his sound judgment and good business sense. He is affiliated with the Re- publican party and is also a member of the Retail Grocers' Asso- ciation. On Dec. 9, 1875, Mr. Seemann was married to Minnie, the daughter of John and Lizette (Banckene) Henkil, both well- known residents of Milwaukee, who are living, both at the advanced age of eighty-five. Twelve children have been wel- comed in the Seeman home, where there is always plenty and to spare : John, deceased; Mary, the wife of Ernst Fisher, who works for Mr. Seemann; George, deceased; Helen, who assists in her father's store; Minnie, the wife of Herman Strange, a gardener ; Ida, deceased; Ella, the wife of W. J. Schietinger, a druggist at Fortieth and Clybourn streets; Clara and Frankie, clerks in the Seemann store; Emma, deceased; Walter, deceased; and Erwin, deceased. The family are members of the Trinity Evangelical church at the corner of Fourth and Lee streets.
Fred Winkel .- Success in the Twentieth century, this great cycle of progress, is more often a matter of sound judgment and experience than of genius, and those we regard as the successful men usually rise gradually, overcoming great difficulties, and by energy, self-reliance, and honesty, reach the goal to which they aspire. Fred Winkel, the subject of this brief sketch, is a self-made man and owes his present position to himself alone. He is a native of the Cream City, born Feb. 26, 1859, the son of Frederick and Fredericka (Krueger) Winkel, who were born in Germany in 1834 and 1832, respectively. The father came to America when comparatively young and located in Milwaukee. When this country was rent asunder by the strife of civil war Mr. Winkel responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment. He served in many of the severe engage- ments during the war; was under Sherman in the South, and was honorably mustered out of the service at the close of hostilities in 1865. After returning to Milwaukee he secured employment with Mabbett & Foster in their lumber yards at the corner of River street and Junior avenue, working there from 1865 to 1878, when he was engaged at the Union Cemetery and held a position there for several years. He was summoned by the Angel of Death in 1904. Mrs. Winkel was the daughter of a farmer in Germany, and after her marriage with Mr. Winkel reared a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. She was laid to rest in 1901. Fred received the elements of a practical education in the district schools of the town of Milwaukee, and
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also attended St. John's parochial schools, as he was reared in the Lutheran faith. When fifteen years of age, in 1874, he began to work in a furniture factory owned by J. Jenkins, and located on River street. Two years later he became an apprentice under George Hoffman to learn the brick mason's trade, but did not remain long, as he engaged in farming in Logan county, Ill., in 1877, and continued in that occupation for nearly two years. Upon his return to Milwaukee Mr. Winkel obtained a position in the Pierce lumber yards at the foot of Eighteenth street for one year. In 1880 he began work for the Milwaukee Milling Company, man- ufacturing flour, but three years later was offered a more lucrative position at the New Era Mills, also a flour mill, located at the foot of Washington street, and accepted it. For one year he worked as a carpenter, in 1885 returned to the milling business, was for a time one of the employes of the Empire Mills, and he also worked for the John B. A. Kern Milling Company. Mr. Winkel knew all branches of the manufacture of flour, and from 1886 to 1890 was engaged with the Duluth Roller Mills at the foot of South Water street. In the latter year he determined to go into business for himself, and embarked as a grocer at the northwest corner of Twenty-third and Hadley streets. In 1900 his trade had increased so that he was forced to obtain larger quarters, and he moved to his present location at 1100 Twenty-third street. Mr. Winkel is one of the most prosperous business men in the Cream City, and is assisted in business by his sons. They have built up a fine trade, and are meeting with a just reward in their endeavors to please their customers and give every man a square deal. Mr. Winkler is actively iterested in politics and is one of the most loyal sup- porters of the Republican party. He is ever interested in the wel- fare of the community, and has had the honor to represent the Twentieth ward as alderman from 1896 to 1900. Mr. Winkel's wife was formerly Miss Matilda Freudenberg, the daughter of Martin and Eva (Baumgartner) Freudenberg, well-known resi- dents of Milwaukee, who passed away at the ages of sixty-eight and thirty-eight, respectively. Mr. Winkel was married on Sept. 16, 1882, and he is the proud father of five children: Arthur, deceased; Alfred, a student in the medical department of Mar- quette College; Erwin E., Olive, and Frederick. Mrs. Winkel is the youngest of a family of six children. Her father was a car- penter contractor who came to Milwaukee about 1845, and there he engaged in the contracting business. He was the original owner of the property at the corner of Fifth street and Grand avenue, and for several years was supervisor and school trustee of the town of Milwaukee.
Jacob Baurenfeind, a successful and honored citizen of Mil- waukee county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 19, 1846, the son of John and Catherine Baurenfeind, both of whom were born and reared in the Fatherland. The parents came to this country with the tide of sturdy Germans who poured into Wisconsin about the middle of the Nineteenth century and took up homesteads in
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the nearly unbroken wilderness of the new state. Mr. Baurenfeind received his scholastic training in the district school near his home, and after leaving school engaged in farming. Within a short time he bought a farm of his own, which he has since successfully con- ducted and where he still resides. Mr. Baurenfeind is staunchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Demo- cratic party, in which organization he is an active worker. He takes a great interest in local affairs. Like his ancestors for gen- erations, he is a communicant of the Lutheran church. On March 6, 1871, Mr. Baurenfeind was united in marriage with Miss Chris- tina Kenneth, the daughter of Henry and Johanna Kenneth, both of whom were natives of Germany. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baurenfeind, and they were reared and educated at the hospitable farm belonging to their parents : Henry, who is a farmer; Annie, now Mrs. Hassel; Flora, now Mrs. Hassel; Ella, Robert, and Malinda.
Frank F. Dehling is numbered among the progressive farmers of Milwaukee county, where he maintains his home. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, May 2, 1882, the son of Andrew and Mary Dehling, natives of the same place. Mr. Dehling was reared to manhood on his father's farm and received his eduactional discipline at the Mequon public schools for eight years. After leaving school he engaged in farming and now owns his father's homestead, which he has greatly improved, and where he has introduced many of the modern methods of farming, and to-day he is one of the pros- perous and substantial citizens of the town. He is a Republican in politics, and while he has never aspired to hold office, always takes an active interest in its policies. On May 21, 1895, Mr. Dehling was united in marriage with Miss Verkoa Lutke, the daughter of Max and Lena Lutke, residents of Megron, Wis. One child has lately come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dehling: Elvera, who is less than a year old. The family are members of the Lutheran church, of which their ancestors have been communi- cants for generations.
William C. Neilson is one of the old and highly-esteemed residents of the town of Granville, where he was born on Sept. 18, 1869, the son of Cornelius and Margaret Neilson, both natives of Canada who immigrated to the United States and took up land in Milwaukee county at an early day. William, the subject of this sketch, received his elementary education in the public schools of the district and the Milwaukee high school, finishing with a course at a business college. After completing his studies Mr. Neilson entered the medical publishing business, being for over ten years manager and publisher of the Milwaukee Medical Journal, the oldest medical journal in Wisconsin. Reared on a farm, Mr. Neilson always looked forward to the time when he could again be in the country, the master of his own time and the owner of a farm. This he has realized, locating on one of the best farms in the town of Granville four years ago. Mr. Neilson is an educated
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farmer, a graduate of the Farmers' short course of the University, a member of the Wisconsin Experiment Association, and is intro- ducing all the practical modern methods and theories on his farm, and he finds that they pay. In policies he supports the Republi- can party, and with his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. On Nov. 25, 1897, Mr. Neilson was united in marriage with Harriet, the daughter of Capt. C. M. and Elizabeth ( Mosher) Davis, of Milwaukee. Three children have been made welcome in the Neilson home: Dorothy, William and Stanley.
Alfred G. Schultz, prominent in Milwaukee financial and com- mercial circles as the cashier of the Germania National Bank, was born in the Cream City on July 30, 1865, a son of Daniel and Char- lotte (King) Schultz. The father was a native of Alsace-Lor- raine, and the mother was born in Black Rock, N. Y. Mr. Schultz received the educational training afforded by the public schools of Milwaukee, and when but eighteen years of age, in 1883, entered the Merchants' Exchange Bank in a clerical position. He served ' in this capacity for a period of ten years, and then was promoted to the assistant cashiership of the West Side branch at Third and Chestnut streets, later the West Side Bank. While serving in the latter position his influence and sound business judgment be- came known, and when the Germania National Bank was in the process of organization in the early part of 1903 he was chosen cashier. This institution opened its doors on July 1, 1903, and the large and successful business which it has been doing can be deservedly accredited to the ability and acumen of its cashier. Mr. Schultz is absorbed in business, but finds leisure to devote to the Deutscher Club and the Milwaukee Musical Society, which are his only diversions from the routine of duty. In September, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Busjaeger, a daughter of Albert and Fredericka (Salzmann) Busjaeger, of Milwaukee. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Armin D., now thirteen years of age; and Alfred F., now in his tenth year.
Sylvester Sykes, deceased, was a member of Wolcott Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Milwaukee, Wis., which city had been the place of his residence since in September, 1884. He was born at Brothertown, Calumet county (then known as Man- chester), Wis., May 23, 1843, son of Arnold and Hannah (Walker) Sykes, natives of Utica, Oneida county, N. Y. The parents removed to Wisconsin in 1836, the present progressive state then being a territory, and they located on a farm in what is now Calu- met county. There the mother died in 1873 and the father in 1875. Sylvester Sykes was reared on the farm, attending the country district schools during the winter months, and in 1861, when less than eighteen years old, he attempted to enlist in a company of volunteers which Colonel Hobart was raising at Chilton for the Fourth Wisconsin infantry, but he was rejected. Several times afterward he made unsuccessful attempts to enter the military service, and finally, on Oct. 16, 1861, he enlisted in a company be- ing raised by Capt. W. Woods and went with others to Milwau-
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kee. The embryo soldiers went into camp at Camp Washburn, and Mr. Sykes was assigned to Company A of the Second Wis- consin cavalry, which company was the second from Wisconsin to enter the barracks. The regiment was mustered into the United States service by Captain Trowbridge of the regular army. It left the state on March 24, 1862, for St. Louis, over the Chicago & Northwestern railway, by way of Mattoon, Ill. Reaching St. Louis it was quartered at Benton Barracks, where it was equipped and mounted. It was ordered to Springfield in May, and the sub- ject of this review participated in all the service of his company during the ensuing two years. In May, 1865, the regiment joined Custer's cavalry force and did guard duty on the Texas border. Soon thereafter Mr. Sykes was detailed as clerk at General Sheri- dan's headquarters, that officer having come with his laurels from the Shenandoah Valley to command the Military Division of the Gulf, with headquarters at New Orleans, and our subject served in the aforementioned position until after peace had been declared, and he was mustered out of the service at Madison, Wis., Dec. 15. 1865. Soon after returning home he located in Fond du Lac, where he remained three years, in the employ successively of General Hamilton and Anderson Merriman, in shingle mills. On Oct. 8, 1868, he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as freight brakeman, and continued uninter- ruptedly in the employ of that company until his death on Sept. I, 1908. His employment at railroad work covered a period of forty years, and in that time he served in the different capacities of freight brakeman, freight conductor, train-master, and passenger conductor. He was married in 1873 to Elizabeth Bermingham, of Juneau, Wis., a daughter of Garrett Bermingham, and to the union have been born five children. Annie, the eldest, is the wife of A. J. Richter, D. D. S., of Milwaukee; Mayme is the wife of Harry Ludington, of Wauwatosa, Wis .; Charlotte is the wife of Walter H. Heideman, of Milwaukee: George R. is a freight conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad; and Frank B. is in school. Aside from his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, which is mentioned in the beginning of this review, Captain Sykes was affiliated with the Masonic order as follows: Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, Free and Accepted Masons; Calumet Chapter, No. 76, Royal Arch Masons: Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 24, Knights Templar, having been Past Commander of the latter; Milwaukee Chapter, No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was Past Worthy Patron ; and he was Past Chief Conductor of Milwaukee Division, No. 46, Order of Railway Conductors, at the time of his death.
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