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 85

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

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ward he was connected with a Polish paper in Illinois for nearly a year, and he met with such marked success in his chosen career that he became correspondent for various Polish papers throughout the country, writing on Polish subjects and the many problems which appeal to the warm-hearted Pole. His articles were re- ceived with such a cordiality that he was induced to extend his field and include some of the English newspapers, and he became one of the well-known contributors. Since January, 1905, he has been identified with the daily Kuryer Polski in the editorial de- partment. When he first joined the staff he was assigned to the City Hall as reporter, but was soon advanced to city editor, then to political editor, and he has held his present responsible position of advertising manager since January, 1908. He is editor of the Polish Press and financial secretary of the Polish Newspaper As- sociation of America. He is also a prominent member of the local Polish Turners' Society, the Polish Council, is president of Branch 730, Polish National Alliance, and is also a member of the Mil- waukee Press Club. Marquette college is proud to count him among the rising young members of her alumni association, of which he is a popular member. Mr. Wedda has always taken an active part in politics, and is a stanch Republican and one of the leading speakers of his nationality for that party. He is unselfish, and for years has been doing a noble work as teacher in the night schools of the city, enabling many a struggling Polish or German boy to secure a knowledge of the English language. He still con- tributes many different articles to various English newspapers.

Hon. Jacob Rummel, foreman of the Williams & Breckle Cigar Manufacturing Company, represented the Sixth district in the State Senate for the term beginning in January, 1905, and ending in January, 1909. He is a native of Wisconsin, of German an- cestry, and the son of Christian and Mary (Tabel) Rummel, both of whom were born in Germany. Christian and his wife came to America in 1852, and were so attracted by the unusual farming opportunities afforded by Wisconsin that they decided to make this state their home, and they occupied a farm in the town of Richfield, Washington county. This became their permanent home, and there their son Jacob was born on April 17, 1857. He at- tended the public schools and was taught farming by his father, who had been obliged to clear his own farm and erect all the build- ings, and who had succeeded in making a beautiful and comfort- able home out of the untilled land. Jacob continued his educa- tion at the Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee, and in 1872 learned the cigar-maker's trade with William Brenckle, with which firm he has been employed as foreman for twenty years, his posi- tion increasing in importance with the rapidly growing business ness of the Williams & Brenckle company. In 1904 Mr. Rummel was elected to the State Senate to represent the Sixth district. He owed his election to the Socialist party, with which he has been identified for twenty-five years, and in the interests of which he has been very active. Mr. Rummel has been a political leader, and

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during the first session became prominent in the legislature. Soon after taking his seat in the Senate he was made chairman of the committee on manufactures and labor and was appointed a mem- ber of the committees on corporations, banks, finance, insurance, health and sanitation. At that time he was also appointed to be one of three members of a committee to investigate matters per- taining to state insurance. Of this body the other members were Senator Frear, now secretary of state; and Senator Roehr. The number of members of the committee was finally increased to seven and they were empowered to investigate state insurance cor- porations. When the committee finished its investigations and made its report to the Senate, a minority report was submitted by Mr. Rummel, which requested the legislature to appoint a com- mission, which, with the co-operation of the State Commissioner of Insurance, should formulate a working plan for state insur- ance and for old-age pensions in the state of Wisconsin. Of this report 10,000 copies were printed and distributed, and it was wide- ly read and commented upon in various states. Action suggested by this treatise has been taken by four state legislatures in regard to state insurance, and Mr. Rummel feels that these steps taken in the right direction will be followed by more and broader efforts in this direction. During the second session of Mr. Rummel's term in the Senate, he was a member of the committees on banks, finance, insurance, manufactures, labor, cities, and elections. In 1908 he was elected alderman from the Nineteenth ward in Mil- waukee, leading his republican and Democratic opponents by a plurality of 74. Mr. Rummel continues to take an active interest in matters political, and has constantly at heart the welfare of his neighborhood and city, at the same time working in every way possible to promote the interests of the Socialist movement at large.

Louis Schoknecht is a prominent mason and contractor of Milwaukee, residing at 186 Burleigh street. His father, Henry Schoknecht, was born in Germany and came to Milwaukee in 1855 with his parents, John and Sophia (Druse) Schoknecht. He married Miss Bertha Timm, daughter of Charles and Mary Timm, who were also German pioneers of Milwaukee. Henry Schok- necht was born in Germany on Nov. 21, 1854, and has resided in Milwaukee since 1855. There is but one older resident of the Twenty-first ward than Mr. Schoknecht. He is one of a family of five children, of whom four attained mature years : Christopher, Henry, Mary, and Lena (deceased). He worked three years as a mason's apprentice, and as journeyman until 1902, when he en- gaged in business with his sons, Louis and Edward, under the firm name of Louis Schoknecht. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schoknecht: Louis; Lizzie, wife of Hugo Bindrich ; and Anna, wife of Robert Thuroes. Louis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Milwaukee, Nov. 14, 1874, attended public schools in Milwaukee and learned the mason's trade with his uncle Christopher. For ten years he was a journeyman, and

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then became associated with his father and brother in the firm which bears his name. Since 1902 the firm has carried on a most successful business and has erected a number of important build- ings. The four-story apartment building on the corner of Eleventh and Wells streets was erected for Mr. Hughes, and the three- story apartment at Thirteenth and Wells streets for Thomas Merritv. The firm has erected the masonry for numerous other buildings of consequence and is at present engaged in fulfilling the mason contract for the Kinsley Methodist Episcopal church, which is to be a $35,000 edifice at the corner of Thirty-third and Walnut streets. Mr. Schoknecht is well and favorably known among Milwaukee masons and merits the continuance of a pros- perous business. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. The Schoknecht family are devout members of the German Lutheran church.

Richard Riesen, 236 Twenty-fourth street, is a prominent con- tractor and builder of Milwaukee. He was born in Milwaukee on Aug. 10, 1864, son of Richard and Rosa (Hauk) Riesen, the former a native of Schleswig and the latter of Stettin, Germany. Richard Riesen, senior, came to America from Germany in 1858, located in Milwaukee, and there was employed as a journeyman carpenter for some years. He was soon able to open a shop of his own and for forty years was successfully engaged as contractor and builder in Milwaukee. In later life, having acquired a comfortable for- tune, he retired from active business and is now living near Los Angeles, Cal. His first wife was Rosa Hauk, and to this marriage were born seven children: Richard; Minnie, wife of Charles Kleppe; Ella, wife of William Lierman; Harry, deceased; Agnes, wife of Henry Opitz; Lydia, wife of Arthur Modler; and Rosa. Mr. Riesen married a second time, his wife being Emma Modler. To this marriage four children were born: William, Adelaide, Alvin, and Esther, Richard, the subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the public schools of Milwaukee and learned the carpen- ter's trade in his father's shop. This instruction was of the best, for the elder Richard Riesen obtained the contracts for many substantial and handsome edifices, among them being the fol- lowing : the Colby & Abbott building on Mason and Milwau- kee streets, a considerable part of the Wisconsin Central depot and the Wisconsin Central shops at Waukesha, etc. In 1888, Rich- ard Riesen, Jr., engaged in business as contractor and builder inde- pendently, and has won an enviable reputation in that capacity. He has erected many important structures, some of the most note- worthy of which are the Orphan Asylum of the Felician Sisters in Milwaukee, the large block at the corner of State and Third streets, the dormitory which is prominent among the State build- ings at Chippewa Falls, the First Baptist church at Marshall and Ogden streets, the South Side Baptist church, the Baptist church at Madison, Wis., etc. Mr. Riesen's work is honest and sub- stantial. He gives the most careful supervision to every piece of work upon which his men are engaged and takes pride in

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having every detail carefully executed. His experience and skill entitle him to a place in the foremost rank of Milwaukee builders. He is a member of the Milwaukee Builders' Association and of the Carpenter's Club. In November, 1887, Mr. Riesen was married to Miss Carrie Rohren, of Milwaukee, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Senn) Rohren. Their home has been gladdened by two children, Irving and Norma.

Julius E. Radtke, carpenter and builder, has occupied the shop at 486 Milwaukee street for the past ten years, and during that time has earned an enviable reputation for prompt and efficient execution of orders entrusted to him. He makes a specialty of jobbing and repair work and has a large and influential patronage. Mr. Radtke is a native of Wisconsin, son of Rudolph and Matilda (Schulz) Radtke, of Concord, Jefferson county. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Radtke were both born in Germany and were pioneers of Jefferson county, where they met and were married. Their home for a quarter of a century was a rich farm in Concord, and there ten children were born to them, of whom seven reached mature years, named as follows: Julius E., Arthur, Hugo, Edwin, Hubert (deceased at the age of twenty years), Louise (Mrs. Edward Zarwell), and Edgar. The family exchanged the farm in Concord in 1887 for a better property in Beaver Dam, and there resided for twenty years, during which time Mr. Radtke was still engaged in farming and also interested in a store under the name of Radtke & Son. In 1907 he retired from active business and con- tinues to reside in Beaver Dam, enjoying the fruits of a long and busy life. He has profited by the development of the rich farm- ing country, whose fertility attracted him in the days when it was forest and wilderness and its cities were dreams of the future. Julius E., the subject of this sketch, was born on the farm in Concord, Jefferson county, Wis., Aug. 26, 1865, attended `the public schools, started out in 1885, and served a four years appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade. In September, 1887, he went to Milwaukee, where for some years he was employed as a journey- man, and for the past ten years he has been located at 486 Milwau- kee street. On April 28, 1892, Mr. Radtke was married to Miss Maria Witte, daughter of Wilhelm Witte, whose home is in Ger- many. Three children blessed this union: Rudolph, Milda, and Leona, who are attending public school in Milwaukee. Mr. Radtke is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Maria (Witte) Radtke was born in Muetzelburg, bei Prillwitz, in Pom- mern, Germany, Jan. 1, 1866. She came to this country in 1883, stayed in Watertown, Wis., and came to Milwaukee in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Radtke have since made Milwaukee their home.

Dr. Harvey P. Clute, formerly state veterinarian, and now one of the prominent and successful veterinary surgeons of Mil- waukee, with offices at No. 330 Fourth street, was born on a farm in Orleans county, N. Y., June 18, 1866. He is the son of J. P. and A. M. (Jackson) Clute, both of whom are also natives of the Empire State. He grew to manhood on his father's farm in New

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York, and received his early education in the public schools and at the Lima (N. Y.) Seminary, which he attended for a period of two years. He then entered upon the work of his chosen profes- sion and matriculated at the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, Canada. Here he pursued the full two years' course and grad- uated therein with the class of 1887. Upon receiving his diploma he immediately came to Milwaukee, but the following year located at Marinette, Wis. Before finally settling down to the active prac- tice of his profession, he took a special course in veterinary den- tistry and surgery, and has always made a specialty of that branch of his calling. He remained in Marinette for a period of fourteen years, and there he commanded a large and very lucrative prac- tice. In 1902, desiring a wider field for his professional labors, he moved to Milwaukee, where he met with immediate success and became one of the leaders of the profession. The Doctor is a member of the Wisconsin State Veterinary Graduates Association, of which organization he was president in 1894; he is also a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Fraternal Alliance, and Knights of the Maccabees. While a resident of Marinette he served for one term as a member of the common council, representing the Fifth ward, and he was the youngest representative who ever sat in that body. He has always been a staunch adherent of the Republican party, and during Governor Scofield's administration he was ap- pointed state veterinarian and served in that capacity with credit for four years. He was united in marriage on Feb. 22, 1892, at Marinette, Wis., to Miss Minnic A. Richter, a native of Oconto, Wis., and the daughter of William and Anna Richter. Her parents were both natives of Germany, and coming to the United States at an early day are numbered among the prominent pioneer residents of Oconto county. On Nov. 1, 1908, Mr. Clute was appointed chief meat inspector of the city of Milwaukee.

Gustav Arsand, one of the prosperous farmers and promi- nent citizens of the town of Oak Creek, is a native of Wisconsin, but a German by descent, one of that sturdy race noted for its perseverance and indomitable will, which has played a large part in the building up of this great commonwealth. He was born in the town of Oak Creek, Milwaukee county, March 1I, 1861, just as this nation was torn asunder by the strife of civil war. His father was Edward Arsand, born in Germany on Sept. 8, 1834, and his mother was Fredericka (Koch) Arsand, born in the same country on July 3, 1839. The paternal grandparents immigrated to this country with the great tide of German immigrants who sought the opportunities offered in the new world about the middle of the Nineteenth century, and located on a farm in Milwaukee county in 1842, being among the pioneer settlers of the region. They lived on this homestead all their days. The paternal grand- parents were H. F. William Koch and Mary Elizabeth Koch, who were among the pioneer residents of Oak Creek, where they lived all their lives. Gustav was reared on his father's farm and received his scholastic training in the public schools of the town of Oak

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Creek. After finishing his studies he helped his father, who owned 147 acres of land. His father died in 1891, but his mother still lives in Oak Creek. They reared a family of eight children, of whom two are still living, Edward and Gustav. The father was a Demo- crat in politics, and his wife was a member of the Lutheran church. Gustav Arsand liked farming, and after reaching his majority bought sixty acres of land in the town of Oak Creek, where he is still engaged in that occupation. Like his father, he is a Democrat and takes an active interest in the principles of the party. On Feb. 22, 1883, Mr. Arsand was united in marriage with Wilhelmenia Roth, born in the town of Oak Creek in 1862, being the daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Werner) Roth, who were among the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee county. They immi- grated to America in 1856 and located in the town of Oak Creek, where Mr. Roth died in 1870. He was survived by his wife and eight of their nine children, one having died. Mrs. Roth lived to a happy old age and was laid at rest in 1900. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arsand: Carl, deceased ; George ; Bern- hardt, deceased : Emilia ; Gustav, Jr., deceased ; and Clara. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

Herman Ludwig Emmerich was born in Milwaukee on Dec. II, 1869. He is the son of Henry and Augusta (Rosseler) Em- merich, both of whom were born in Germany, the former at Wrietzen, Brandenburg, on Nov. 4, 1828, and the latter at Zeit- zing, Brandenburg, on July 24, 1829. They came to Milwaukee in 1868. The father was a tailor by occupation and was in busi- ness on the North Side at 610 Third street for a period of twenty- five or thirty years. His death occurred on Aug. 18, 1906, and he was survived by his widow and seven children. Herman Ludwig Emmerich attended the public and high schools of Milwaukee and entered the drug business as an apprentice in 1883, passing the licentiate examination in 1885. He clerked in representative drug stores for such well-known pharmacists as William Lueders, Twelfth street and Garfield avenue, under the tutorship of Charley Bruz, Ph. G., Conrad Richter, William Heinrichs, Ph. D., and Adolphus Hopp ; and managed Joseph Troupczynski's store on Wash- ington street, and later on Mitchell. He left Milwaukee and opened Foster's drug store at Beloit, Wis., returning to clerk for A. C. Eitberg at 118 Wells street. His next engagement was with Jolın H. Tesch & Company, at No. 13 Grand avenue, where he filled the position of head prescription clerk for five years. He entered the pharmacy department of the University of Wiscon- sin in 1892, graduating as president of his class in 1894. Resum- ing an active business career, he was employed at the Hotel Pfister drug store for a time, and then became head clerk for the Nestor of Wisconsin's pharmacists, John A. Dadd & Son, on Grand avenue, where he remained until 1900. He engaged in busi- ness on his own accord at 898 Third street in the year last men- tioned; in 1903 launched the Union Pharmacy (co-operative) at Twelfth and Walnut streets, and of which he continued as presi-

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dent until his retirement from the concern in 1908. He com- pleted a course in optics at the Northern Illinois College of Opthal- mology and Otology and received his degree of Doctor of Optics in 1905. In the same year he added the Twelfth and Vliet street store to his drug store ventures. His personal popularity, his inti- mate knowledge of his chosen calling, and his square dealing has won him a host of friends and a fine patronage. His label is accepted as equivalent to drug knowledge, experience, and honest dealing. He has always stocked his store to include "everything for the sick needs;" from a hypodermic syrings to a crutch; from a hot-water bag to a rubber stocking; from a truss to a douche pan; trying to live up to his idea of the physician and patient's "help," a pioneer idea for Milwaukee. In politics he is a Repub- lican, though liberal minded, and in religion he confesses to the Lutheran faith. Professionally and fraternally he is a member of the Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical associa- tions, the National Association of Retail Druggists, the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, the Kilbourn Lodge of Masons, and the Millioke Club.

Peter P. Glysz, a registered pharmacist of Milwaukee, who conducts one of the most modern drug stores in the city, was born in the Cream City on Dec. 1, 1874. He is a son of Lawrence and Gertrude ( Bederska) Glysz, both of whom were born in Germany, the former in 1828 and the latter in 1830. The parents came direct to Milwaukee from the Fatherland in 1869, and for the past eleven years the father has lived a retired life. He and his wife are com- municants of St. Stanislaus' Roman Catholic church. Of the nine children born to the parents, six survive. Mr. Glysz received his early educational advantages in the parochial and public schools of Milwaukee. After leaving school he spent some time in a real estate office and also as a clerk in a dry goods store. From there he entered the drug business conducted by Hans Kienth, and remained with him for six years. During that time he also took up a short course in the pharmacy department of the Milwaukee Medical College. In the year 1901, on July 13, he embarked in the business under his own name, at Locust and Bremen streets. Having been successful, he in four years succeeded Andrew Van Ells, on Forest Home and Tenth avenues, and in Decem- ber, 1906, sold the stock again. On Sept. 23, 1907, he purchased the store from The Kienth Drug Company, and has since that time been conducting that store at 840 Mitchell street, under the firm name of Glysz Drug Company, and also his original store at Locust and Bremen streets. In both enterprises he has been very successful in a financial way, his popularity winning him many friends. He is independent in his political belief, and in religious matters is allied with the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally and professionally he is well-known, being a member of the Milwau- kee and Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical associations, the National Association of Retail Druggists, the Catholic Knights, and he is an honorary member of St. Casimir's Choir and St. Casimir's Cadets. Mr. Glysz is not married.

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John Edward Lee, engaged in insurance and real estate, was born in Genesee, Waukesha county, Wis., on Sept. 8, 1857, a son of Patrick and Rosannah (Larkin) Lee. Both parents were born in Ireland, the father on March 19, 1804, and the mother on Aug. 21, 1814. They came to Waukesha county in 1842, and there the father earned his livelihood by working at his trade of contractor and operating a stone quarry. The father died on Oct. 30, 1866, and his widow passed away on Aug. 9, 1896. Both parents were devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and their family of four sons and two daughters, of whom but one son and a daughter-Rosannah E., formerly a nurse in Milwaukee and now a resident of Colorado Springs, Colo .- are living, were reared in that faith. John E. Lee received his educational advantages in the common schools of Waukesha county. Until he was eighteen years of age he did farm work, and then became a dairyman, being engaged for a period of two years in the creamery business. Attracted by the tales of fortunes to be made in the West, he went to Leadville, Colo., and for some five years was occupied in mining. Upon his return to Waukesha county at the end of that time, he again engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese, and in 1890 he left the work to go to Milwaukee. Here he entered the employ of an express company, a position he retained for some two years. The following thirteen years he held a position with a Milwaukee concern as their traveling representative. When he severed that connection in 1905 it was to embark in the brokerage business. His present occupation he has been engaged in since May 1, 1907, when he and G. W. Griffiths organized the Lee Dental Supply Company. Although the firm has been in existence but a short time its success so far certainly augurs well for the future. ' In his political beief Mr. Lee is not affiliated with any party, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage as his judgment dictates is for the best interests of the community. He is a devout communicant of the Roman Catholic church. On Sept. 25, 1901, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Jean Caldo, born in Mil- waukee on April 26, 1872, and a daughter of John and Mary (McKittrick) Caldo. Mr. Caldo was born in Scotland in 1837 and came to Milwaukee in an early day. He and Andrew Brereton established one of the first bakeries in the Cream City, and from the time of his arrival in the city until his death, on June 12, 1875, was actively engaged in the baker's trade. He was a son of Alexander and Grace (Johnston) Caldo. His widow is still living, and is actively engaged in the management of a grocery business which she has conducted ever since his death. For sixteen years her store was on Broadway, and the past seventeen years it has been at 103 Twenty-eighth street. Of the six children in the family five are still living. Mrs. Caldo was born in Franklin, Milwaukee county, in 1843, her parents being Robert McKittrick and Ellen (McDowell) McKittrick, both born in the north of Ireland. They came to Milwaukee in 1836. Mr. McKittrick died in 1848 and his widow on March 3, 1865.

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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 85

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