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 9

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

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Joseph F. Quin, M. D., a practicing physician in Milwaukee, was born in that city on March 20, 1867, son of Jeremiah and Mary A. (Carey) Quin, natives of Ireland, who are mentioned more at length in this work in a personal review of the father. Dr. Quin received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, in- cluding a course in the high school, and finally decided upon the medical profession as his life's vocation. After due preparation he matriculated at the Milwaukee Medical College and graduated at that institution with the class of 1905. Following his graduation he opened an office in the city of Milwaukee and has since been en- gaged in the active practice of his profession, meeting with unquali- fied success from the beginning. He was married on Aug. 21, 1906, to Miss Emma Dubratz, daughter of the late Albert and Louisa Dubratz, of Kolberg, Wis., and to this union there has been born one son, Joseph E. Dr. Quin gives an unswerving allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party, although he is not a politician in the self-seeking sense, and his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he has membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and he is the medical exam- iner of the Milwaukee Camp of that order.

David Herman Lando, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of medicine in his native city but a comparatively short period, but prior to his locating in the practice there he had had considerable experience in another field, and being well prepared by training and adaptability, he has already achieved success of a high order. He was born in the city of Milwaukee on Oct. 10, 1879, son of Maxi- milian N. and Ida (Caspary) Lando, who are given more extensive mention on another page in this volume. Dr. Lando received his preliminary education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a course in the East Side high school, and then began preparation for his life's vocation. In due time he matriculated at the Mil- waukee Medical College and after taking a thorough course gradu- ated in that institution with the class of 1901. He then removed to Ironwood, Mich., where he practiced his profession for six years, and in 1907 returned to his native city. The patronage he has al- ready received and the success he has attained bespeak for him a

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

future of much promise. He was married on Aug. 26, 1906, to Miss Regina Krauskopf, daughter of Morris Krauskopf, of Milwaukee, and to this union there has been born one son, David Herman, Jr. Dr. Lando is a Republican in his political affiliations, giving an un- swerving allegiance to the men and measures of that organization, but he has not entered public life as an office-holder or self-seeker. Fraternally he has membership in the Masonic Order, the Brother- hood of American Yeomen, the Mutual Benefit Association, and the Woodmen of the World. He is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical college fraternity, being a charter member of Kappa Chapter.

Bernard Alfred Hoermann, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Milwaukee, was born in St. Louis, Mo., on Oct. 1, 1875, son of Dr. F. B. and Caroline (Prime) Hoermann, both of whom are natives of Germany. The father migrated to America and located in St. Louis in the '6os, graduated from the Missouri Medical Col- lege at St. Louis, and practiced his profession in that city and at St. Paul, Minn., until 1879, when he removed to Watertown, Wis., where he has since been engaged in successful practice. Of the eleven children born to himself and wife ten-five sons and five daughters-are living. Three of the sons-Arthur E., Rudolph B., and the subject of this review-are physicians, and the other two- Alfred H. and Ernst J .- are dentists. Dr. Arthur E. Hoermann is a graduate of the University of Berlin, in Germany, where he re- ceived the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy, and he was the third man from the United States to receive the last named degree from that great institution of learning. He is a fine language scholar, and has translated a Spanish history into the German. At the present time he is a mem- ber of the faculty of the Northwestern University at Watertown, Wis. Dr. Bernard A. Hoermann, whose name introduces this re- view, received his preliminary education in the public schools of Watertown, Wis., including a course in the high school, and then entering the Northwestern University at Watertown, graduated at that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Then deciding upon the study of medicine, he spent three years in the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan, and after spending one year as assistant with Dr. Carroll in the study of diseases of the eye, ear and throat, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago and graduated there with the class of 1901. He then served in the Augustana Hospital at Chicago until the spring of 1902, when he went to Hartford, Washington county, Wis., and there practiced his profession until 1906. On March I of that year he located in Milwaukee, where he has since been engaged in gen- eral practice, and his success has been of the unequivocal order. He was married on Dec. 24. 1904, to Miss Freada, daughter of Jacob and Francis (Kraemer) Portz, of Hartford, Wis. Dr. Hoermann is a Republican in his political views, although he has never sought or held public office, and his religious'opinions are in accord with the teachings of the Lutheran church. Fraternally he has membership

BIOGRAPHIICAL

in the Milwaukee County, the Wisconsin State and the American Medical associations, and he is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappa medical fraternity.

Dr. Ralph P. Peairs is a prominent physician of Milwaukee. who has made his home in that city since 1903 and now lives at 410 Prospect avenue. He was born at Hayworth, McLean county, Ill., May 5. 1875, son of Henry R. and Sarah ( Hope) Peairs, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pittsburg. Pa. In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Peairs left Ohio for Illinois and made their home for some years in McLean county. Mr. Peairs died in 1895 at Normal, Ill., and his wife in 1904. They were devoted members of the Pres- byterian church, of which also their son Ralph is a member. Four children survived them. Ralph P., the subject of this sketch, re- ceived his early education in the public schools of McLean county and then attended the Illinois State Normal School at Normal, where he was graduated in 1896. He entered Rush Medical College upon finishing his course at the normal school and was graduated from that institution in 1903. He entered upon the practice of his profession in 1903 at Milwaukee and was at that time interne at St. Mary's Hospital. He held this position for one year and the following year was made interne at the Emergency Hospital. He is now attending surgeon at Johnson Emergency Hospital. Dr. Peairs has met with marked success in the practice of his profession and is recognized as one of its leading members in Milwaukee. He belongs to the Milwaukee Medical Society, to the Milwaukee Coun- ty Medical Society, to the Wisconsin State Medical Association and to the American Medical Association. Dr. Peair's coolness, decision and skill find ample opportunity for use in the relief of suffering at the Emergency Hospital, with which he is now connected and he is rapidly acquiring the experience which will place him among the foremost physicians and surgeons of the state. Dr. Peairs is inde- pendent in political beliefs and is inspired in choosing his position on political questions by the changing necessities of the community.

Dr. John Adolph Wendel, of 672 26th street, Milwaukee, has been a successful practicing physician of that city since 1899. He is of German origin, his parents, Jacob and Paulina ( Franke) Wendel, having passed their entire lives in that country. John A. was born April 5, 1843, and attended a German gymnasium. In 1882 he de- cided to try his fortunes in America and located in Milwaukee, where he attended the Homeopathic College, and was graduated from that institution in June, 1883. From 1886 to 1899 he was engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Iowa and then returned to Milwaukee, where he has since won a respected position among the members of his profession. In 1868 Dr. Wendel was married to Miss Wilhelmina Lillie, a native of Germany and daugh- ter of Henry and Elizabeth Lillie. Four children blessed the mar- riage, Alexander (deceased), Dora, Pauline and Lizzie. Dr. Wen- del is associated with the Social Democratic party, but the active duties of his profession leave him little time to participate in polit- ical matters.

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Edward J. Purtell, M. D., a member of the eminent family of physicians and surgeons of Milwaukee, was born in Pewaukee, Waukesha county, Wis., Jan. 28, 1864, being the son of John and Catherine (Sullivan) Purtell, mentioned elsewhere in this book in connection with the life of Joseph A. Purtell, M. D. Our subject was educated in the common branches in the public schools and obtained his higher mental development in the State Normal School. After graduating from the State Normal School with hon- ors he taught school with success for five years. His ambitions be- ing of a higher order, he abandoned the trials and tribulations of the underpaid pursuit of the pedagogue and entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which famous seat of learning he graduated in 1891. and began at once his distinguished career as a physician and surgeon in Milwaukee, where success has crowned his efforts. He was county physician of Milwaukee county for two years and he now holds the chair of clinical surgery in the medical department of the Marquette University, a fitting tribute to his superior tal- ents in this truly worthy and scientific study. On July 7, 1897, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Ellen, daughter of John and Mary ( Bernard) Rice, of Milwaukee, both now deceased, and their union has been blessed with five children, Edward, Lu- cile, Paul, Marion and Joseph, all of whom are living to gladden the hearthstone of their parents. Dr. Purtell is a member of the Mil- waukee County Medical Society ; of the Wisconsin State Medical Society; of the American Medical Association, and also of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In religion himself and family are members of the Roman Catholic church and in politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. The success and recognition which he has thus far attained presage the greater heights which he is destined to attain in his profession.

John Edwin Purtell, D. D. S., a prominent dentist of the city of Milwaukee, was born in Monches, Waukesha county, Wis., Feb. 13, 1875, the son of John and Catherine (Sullivan) Purtell, for sketches of whose lives see the sketch of Dr. Joseph A. Purtell, elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Monches, where he received his primary training, and at the White- water Normal he received the advantages of training in the higher branches of learning. After closing his scholastic career he re- solved to mature himself, or, as it were, to season the funds of knowledge of which he had possessed himself by becoming a teach- er for three years. The pursuit of pedagogics was not to his liking, so he abandoned that course and entered the Dental Department of the Milwaukee Medical College, now Marquette University, tak- ing there a thorough and complete course, from which he graduated with honor in 1899, and at once began the practice of his profession in Milwaukee. One of his talents could not be allowed to remain long in the obscurity of an office, for his abilities were soon recog- nized by his alma mater, and he was appointed an instructor and lecturer in its dental department. As an evidence of his ability he is now one of the members of the staff of clinicians at the dental

BIOGRAPHICAL.

department of the university. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Society : the Alumni Association of the Milwaukee Medical College ; the Knights of Columbus, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In politics he is a Democrat and in religion he is a strict member of the Roman Catholic church. It does not require prophetic foresight to predict Dr. Purtell's unbounded success in odontology. Unfortunately he is not a benedict, but he is young yet.

Thomas A. Purtell, a leading dentist of Milwaukee, was born in Monches, Waukesha county, Wis., July 4, 1879, being the son of John and Catherine (Sullivan) Purtell, an account of whose lives ap- pears elsewhere in this book, in connection with the sketch of Dr. Joseph A. Purtell. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Monches and then graduated from the Dental Department of the Milwaukee Medical College in 1900 with the highest honors, and he was chosen, on account of his superior oratorical talents, to be the valedictorian of his class, which is a distinguishing honor always, and is usually coveted by all the members of the graduating class, and he who is capable of bearing off the victorious palm is the envy if not the idol of his associates. It is said that Dr. Purtell acquitted himself on that occasion with great credit, winning encomiums on all sides. He began active practive in Milwaukee at once, and from the start has met with unusual success in his line. On Nov. 25, 1905, he married Miss Winifred, daughter of Richard and Theresa (Kelly) Shinnick, of Watertown, Wis., and their connubial bliss has been blessed and increased by the presence of two charming chil- dren, Thomas Joseph and Mary Josephine. Our subject and wife are ardent members of the Roman Catholic church, while in politics he is a member of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Association, the Marquette University Alumni, the Knights of Columbus, and the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians. Dr. Purtell is a gentleman whose refined social qualities mark him for a successful career.

Henry Harder, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Mil- waukee, was born in the town of New Holstein, Calumet county, Wis., on Aug. 13, 1870, son of Frenz and Dorothea (Sievers) Harder, both of whom are natives of Rendsburg, a town of Prussia. The paternal grandparents migrated to America about 1848 and set- tled in Calumet county, Wis., where they lived out the remainder of their days. The maternal grandfather was Peter Sievers, and upon his migration to America he also settled in Calumet county. and there spent the rest of his life. Frenz Harder, the father of the subject of this review, was a farmer by occupation during his active career, but in 1904 he removed to the city of Milwaukee, where he and his good wife are now living retired. They have become the parents of eight children, three of whom died in infancy, and four sons and one daughter are living. Dr. Harder received his early education in the public schools of New Holstein, Wis., and later attended the high school at Kiel, in Manitowoc county. He then took a course in the State Normal School at Oshkosh, after which

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

he followed the profession of teaching two years, first at Hilbert and then at Granville, Wis. Taking up the study of gymnastics at this time, he took a course in the same at a normal school of gym- nastics, following which he taught athletics in the public schools of the city of Milwaukee for a period of two years. While thus en- gaged he began the study of medicine, and after due preparation he entered the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, Ill., and graduated with the class of 1899, since which time he has been in the active practice of his profession at Milwaukee. Dr. Harder is independent in his political views, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Columbian Knights, being the medical examiner and physician for the latter. He is a member of the LaSalle Society, and has the position of ex- amining physician for the same organization. He is also a member of the Calumet Club ; physician for M. B. A. U. V. and German Vet- eran Society (D. L. M. V.).

Albert J. Herschman is engaged in the general practice of medi- cine in the city of Milwaukee, where he has been located since 1899, the year of his migration to America. He was born in Vienna, Aus- tria, on Aug. 5, 1859, son of Emil and Louisa Herschman, the for- mer of whom was born in Vienna and the latter in Hungary. These parents lived out their allotted time in Vienna, the father dying in that city in 1898 and the mother in 1907, and of the three children born to them all are, living. Dr. Herschman received his early edu- cation in the public schools of his native city, taking an eight years' course in the high school, and his professional training was re- ceived in Vienna, University. After his graduation he took post- graduate courses in Vienna, Berlin and Paris. As a young man he served the so-called volunteer year in the army. In 1899 he mi- grated to America and located in Milwaukee, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice, and in addition to his duties in that direction he officiates as the physician for the Austrian consulate at Chicago. He was married in August, 1900, to Mrs. Anna Young, nee Rudloff, daughter of August and Elizabeth ( Knauber) Rudloff, of Milwaukee. Dr. Herschman has been a deep student of eco- nomic and sociological questions and his views are in accord with the principles of the Social Democratic party, of which he is a firm supporter, though he has never been a self-seeker as regards official position. Professionally he is a member of the Vienna Medical Club, a large organization in his native city, and he also has mem- bership in the Milwaukee Medical Association.

Charles C. Differt, M. D., is a highly successful practicing phy- sician in the city of Milwaukee, and in addition to giving close at- tention to a large and increasing practice he also officiates as in- structor in anatomy in the Milwaukee Medical College. He was born in the city which is now the scene of his professional activi- ties. on Oct. 30, 1879, son of Charles and Wilhelmina (Knueppel) Differt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father mi- grated to America in 1850 and settled in Milwaukee, which city was his place of residence during the remainder of his exceedingly use-

BIOGRAPHICAL

ful and active career. In June, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company E of the Sixteenth Wisconsin infantry for service in the Civil war and joined the regiment at Vicksburg, Miss., where it was then in camp. In September the regiment was stationed at Red- bone. Miss., guarding fords on the Big Black river and engaging in skirmishes with bands of Confederate cavalry until Feb. 5, 1864, when it again became a part of the garrison at Vicksburg. Its next important service was in the Atlanta campaign, and it was before Kenesaw Mountain, occupying trenches and skirmishing during the most of June. It was engaged before Atlanta on July 20, and on the 22nd defended the works against the effort of the enemy to re- take the position. The regiment was occupied in duty at this point until Aug. 26, when it moved forward in pursuit of the enemy, en- gaging in skirmishes at Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, and going into camp at Atlanta on Sept. 8. It was engaged at Savannah and Beaufort later in the season, and on Feb. 2, 1865, participated in the action at Whippy Swamp. At Orangeburg it crossed the North Edisto, wading through swamps and driving the enemy from his position, and it also participated in the battle of Bentonville, which was its last engagement. Mr. Differt did his full share in the serv- ice of the regiment during the last two years of the war, and upon being mustered out returned to his home in Milwaukee. In his civil career he worked at house-roofing, and also followed railroad- ing for some years. He was twice married ; first to a Miss Bell, to which union two children were born. The second marriage was to Miss Wilhelmina Knueppel, a native of Germany, as above stated, who migrated to America in 1870, and one son, whose name intro- duces this review, was the only child born to this union. Dr. Dif- fert received his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a high school course, after which he took a course in the Wilmot Business College. He then began the study of medicine, and after due preparation entered the Milwaukee Medical College, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1903, and at once began the practice of his profession. From the beginning he has met with unqualified success, and all things portend a brilliant future for him. He was married on June 8, 1904, to Miss Inez Mer- ten, of Waupun, Wis., and to this union there has been born one child, Aubrey. Dr. Differt is independent in his political views, and in religious matters he is liberal, though reared in the Lutheran faith. He is a member of the Order of Mutual Protection, and of the Milwaukee Sick Benefit Association.

Jacob O. Ehbets was born in Hamburg, Germany, Sept. 26, 1836, the son of John J. F. and Charlotte E. (Loeding) Ehbets, both natives of Germany, where they died, the mother in 1856 and the father in 1860. . The father was an architect and builder in the em- ploy of the Senate of Hamburg, and the family was composed of a wife and nine children, four boys and five girls, only two of whom came to the United States, our subject and his brother, C. J., who is an engineer at Hartford, Conn. Our subject was educated in an academy and then began studying civil and mechanical engineer-

MEMOIRS OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY

ing. He worked first in machine shops and then took private les- sons to enable him to enter the technical school at Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany, where he finished his course. In 1857 he came to the United States, landing in New York, whence he went to Richmond, Va., to work for the Tredegar Iron Works, one of the few works in the United States manufacturing cannon. Our subject during the Civil war was engaged in the iron works that supplied coverings for the ironclads, particularly the Merrimac. He belonged to the home guards at the same time, but never participated in any battles. In 1870 he came to Chicago to work for the American Bridge Com- pany, since when he has followed the calling of bridge engineer. In 1874 he came to Milwaukee to take charge of the Milwaukee Bridge Company's shops and he remained in the service of that company for four years, when he left to engage with the E. P. Allis Company building water works engines. In 1884 he became a bridge engi- neer for M., L. S. & W. Ry., remaining with that company until 1893, when he entered the employ of the Wisconsin Central railway, where he is at present engaged. On Aug. 20, 1860, he married Miss Lee, daughter of Jacob F. and Sarah Barnes, of Richmond, Va., and she died Feb. 19, 1908, leaving one child, Virginia Pauline, born June 8, 1880, now a successful teacher in the Milwaukee public schools. In religion he was baptized a Lutheran, but might properly be called a liberal or free thinker, and in politics he is a Democrat.

Eugene A. Balsley was born Nov. 25, 1876, in LaFayette town- ship, Walworth county, Wis., being the son of Edwin and Francis (Maltby) Balsley, who were of Dutch and English descent, born in New York, and came to Walworth county, Wis., in 1875, settling on a farm. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in the civil engineering class of 1902. In 1902, immediately following his graduation, he went to Chicago to act as time keeper for the Ameri- can Bridge Company, where he made unusual progress in his line, being engaged most of the time in difficult construction work on bridges, and in 1907 he was sent to Milwaukee to take charge as manager of the American Bridge Company of this city. In poli- tics he is a Republican and he is also a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Association.

Garrit C. De Heus was born in Milwaukee, March 18, 1883. being the son of Anthony and Antoinette (Augustyn) De Heus, both natives of Holland, where the father was born in 1856, at Leer- dam, and the mother in 1860 at Steenbergen. Anthony De Heus and his family came to the United States at an early day. landing in New York, going thence to settle on a farm near Grand Rapids, Mich. After the Civil war he joined the regular army in Virginia and saw the exciting scenes of the reconstruction period in the South, when negro supremacy and carpet-baggers' domination was put down. He was in the regular army six years, when he was hon- orably retired as a non-commissioned officer. Soon thereafter he came to Milwaukee and entered the employ of Ricker, Crombie & Co., wholesale grocers. He has been in the brokerage business

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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 9

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