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 90
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The family are members of St. Vincent's and the Holy Ghost Rom- an Catholic churches, and Mr. Wabiszewski belongs to the Polish Alliance. He was one of the organizers of the Mitchell Street Bank, of which he is vice-president. In political sympathies Mr. Wabiszewski is allied with the Democratic party.
John C. Kleczka, the genial state senator of the Eighth district, was born in the Cream City, May 6, 1885. He is the eldest of the six children of Michael and Agnes ( Wiza' Kleczka, both natives of the province of Posen, Germany, and pioneer Polish residents of Milwaukee. The other children of, the family were Edmund, Mary, Leonard, Helen and Casimir. John C. Kleczka received his primary education in St. Stanislaus' parochial school, and in 1905 was graduated at Marquette College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then pursued a course of study at the Catholic Uni- versity of America, located at Washington, D. C., and in June, 1906, he received the degree of Master of Arts. Upon his return to Mil- waukee that year he was appointed deputy clerk of the courts, and the manner in which he filled the duties of that office reflects great credit not only upon himself but also upon the wisdom of his superiors in making the appointment. Fraternally Mr. Kleczka is prominently identified with many organizations, notably the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is state secretary. Among his Polish countrymen he is an active leader, being an ardent member of many of their national and church organizations. He is also one of the directors of the South Side Civic Association, and a member of the legislative committee of that association. St. Vincent de Paul's Roman Catholic church has no more zealous member than Mr. Kleczka. He is deeply interested in politics and is known throughout the city as one of the most influential mem- bers of the local Republican organization. At the primary election of Sept. 1, 1908, he was the choice of a majority of the Republican voters of the Eighth district for the state senate. At the ensuing November election he was the successful candidate and was chosen state senator, although the district was carried by Bryan and the Democratic ticket generally. Because of his youth and the addi- tional fact that his opponent, William H. Graebner, whom he de- feated, is a very prominent Democrat with an extensive acquaint- ance, the victory of Mr. Kleczka is considered a remarkable feat, and politicians look to him as a new and powerful factor in future county politics. His unassuming disposition, kindness and ability have won him many friends and admirers, and a promising future seems to be assured him. He is considered one of the most pro- gressive members of the rupper house of the state legislature, and will doubtless prove a highly useful and influential representative.
Emil H. Klamp, now serving as village clerk of North Mil- waukee, was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., on June 15, 1879, the son of Charles and Augusta Klamp, natives of Germany. Sev- eral of his maternal uncles are veterans of the Franco-Prussian war. His father came to the United States about the year 1867 and set- tled in Milwaukee, where he continued to reside up to the time of
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his death. He met and married his wife in Milwaukee, and by her he had six children, of whom four are still iving, to-wit: Rob- ert, Adolph, Emil H., and William; two daughters, Oiga and Bertha, are deceased. Charles Klamp followed the business of a general carpenter contractor, in which occupation he, met with ex- cellent success, and his skillful handiwork is to be seen in many parts of the city today. He was a member of the . Evangelical Trinity church, corner of Fourth and Lee streets, and was a sincere and earnest Christian all his life; he ,was also a member of the fraternal order of the Sons of Hermann. His death took place on Feb. 4, 1890. His widow now resides at No. 724 Eighth street, Milwaukee. Emil H., the subject of this sketch, attended the Tenth district school as a boy, and alsoistudied bookkeeping at home dur- ing his spare hours. At an early age he began to make his own livelihood, and first worked for a number of years in a shoe factory. His next employment was that of clerk in the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, followed by a term of service in a bicycle factory, and then in the employ of a bridge construction
company. Ever since March, 1900, he has resided in the village of North Milwaukee, where he first received the appointment of con- stable, and has since been chosen village clerk for four successive terms. Like his father before him, he has always been a staunch Republican in politics, and in addition to the offices above enum- erated, he has served as a delegate to the assembly convention. He belongs to the same religious denomination as his parents (Evangelical). Mr. Klam is a popular member of the North Mil- waukee fire department, a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and is president of the Pottawatomie Tribe of North Milwaukee. He was united in marriage on March 31, 1900, to Miss Crescentia, daughter of Michael and Barbara Becker. of Mil- waukee, and he and wife are the parents of three bright children : Margaret, aged seven years; Erwin, aged two, and Gladys, the baby. 1
Charles Eggert, one of the popular and prosperous business men of North Milwaukee, Wis., was born in the village of North Milwaukee, July 9, 1872, and spent all the early years of his life at home on his father's farm. His parents, Peter and Sophia (Poltz) Eggert, were born and reared in the city of Mecklenberg, Germany, but were married in Milwaukee after coming to the United States. Before leaving the old country the father was employed as a watch- man on a railroad. In 1851 he came to the United States and was employed in various occupations for a period of two years in the city of Milwaukee. He then moved to the region now known as North Milwaukee, where he settled on a farm of some 140 acres, which he acquired from seven different parties. This was in the early pioneer days, when everything was in the rough, and Mr. Eggert worked hard for a number of years in clearing and improv- ing his land; and here Mr. and Mrs. Eggert continued to reside with their family until 1897. In that vear he embarked in the coal. lumber and building material business, which he conducted with
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energy and success until his son, Charles, bought him out in 1903. By the exercise of hard work and shrewd business foresight, he at- tained wealth and prosperity, and was essentially a self-made man. Ile held the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and was one of the substantial members of the community in which he lived so many years. In politics he was a life-long Republican, and served as the first treasurer of North Milwaukee after the organization of the village. He was a sincere Christian, and was a faithful member of the German Lutheran church up to the time' of his death, which occurred on Oct. 6, 1905. His faithful widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Our subject, Charles, is one of a family of six children, all of whom are living. Fred is a farmer in North Milwaukee; Henry resides in the city of Milwaukee; William is a farmer in Granville, Wis .; Helmuth is in the saloon business at North Milwaukee, and Mary is the wife of Charles Hibner, of the city of Milwaukee. Charles attended the schools of his native village, and lived at home on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1897 he became associated in business with his father at North Milwaukee, and finally bought him out in 1903, as above stated. Under his efficient management the business has continued to prosper and grow, and has now at- tained to large proportions. He deals in fuel, lime, cement, stucco, brick, tile, sewer pipe, baled shavings, etc. Mr. Eggert is affiliated with the Republican party, and is a firm believer in the principles of that political organization. He has served as treasurer of North Milwaukee for two years, and also as trustee for two years. Like his parents, he is a faithful member of the German Lutheran church, and is one of its warmest and most generous supporters. Mr. Eg- gert was united in marriage in November, 1895, to Miss Mary, daughter of John Schroeder, of Wauwatosa, and they are the par- ents of two daughters, Lydia and Gertrude. He is a highly popular citizen of the northern suburb and has a large number of warm friends. He is endowed with plenty of hard, common sense, inher- ited from his sturdy German ancestors, is a man of unquestioned business integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow men, and he represents a fine type of our best and most sub- stantial American citizenship.
Harry Grose, foreman of construction for the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, and one of the most popular citizens of North Milwaukee, was born in the village of Keswick, Ontario Province, Canada, Jan. 3, 1867. His parents, Matthew and Jane (Rundel) Grose, were both natives of England, and are both little more than a memory to our subject, as they died while he was still a small child. His father lived for a time in Keswick and other places in Canada, where he followed his trade as a cooper, and then took his family back to England once more, when Harry was only a year or two old. Both parents died in England shortly afterward. Harry received a good common school education, and learned the car- penter trade early in his youth. He worked at his trade in Eng- land until about 1888, and then went to Canada for a while, and
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later to Coopersville, Mich. He was employed in the capacity of bridge carpenter by different railroads for several years, and was also located at Muskegon, Mich., where he did a carpenter-con- tracting business. He next went on a prospecting tour through some of the western and southern states, in 1891, and on his re- turn located in South Milwaukee, where he erected a number of houses. In the fall of 1892 he located in North Milwaukee, Wis., which has since been his place of residence. For many years past he has been in the employ of the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Com- pany, and for a period of seven years has been foreman of outside construction work for the company. He is one of their most effi- cient and trusted employes and handles his difficult and responsible work to the entire satisfaction of the company. He is a firm be- liever in the principles of the Republican party, and has taken a very active interest in politics for many years. His popularity with his fellow citizens is well attested by the fact that he has com- pleted his third term as president of the village of North Milwau- kee. Mr. Grose also has held the office of police justice. He is a faithful member of the Episcopal denomination and an attendant on the Church of the Nativity, his wife being a member of the Evan- gelical church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His marriage took place on Dec. 22, 1895, to Miss Minnie Block, a resident of Green Lake county, Wis., and this union has been blessed with three sons: Allen W., Henry and Matthew.
Fred Sindorf, one of the trustees of the village of North Mil- waukee, and a popular citizen of that thriving suburb, was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 10, 1865. He is the only surviv- ing son of Jacob and Mary (Klump) Sindorf, both of whom were natives of Prussia; his brother Jacob died 'at the age of sixteen and his brother George died in 1888. His father followed the voca- tion of a farmer in the Fatherland, and emigrated to the United States during the early forties. He was one of the earliest pioneer citizens of Milwaukee, where he followed the pursuit of a lathing contractor up to the year 1898, when he retired from active busi- ness. He subsequently made his home with his son Fred up to the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1905. He was an earnest Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the time of his death. He had been allied with the Re- publican party from the time of the organization of that political party before the Civil war, but never sought or held public office. Our subject's mother departed this life some fourteen years before her husband, in December, 1891. Fred was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, and when still a lad assisted his father in his work. He was later employed for about a year and a half in a Milwaukee furniture factory, and then worked as a carpenter in the city until 1892. In the latter year he moved to North Milwau- kee and there entered the employ of the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company, by whom he was sent to Houghton, Mich., for a year. Returning to North Milwaukee once more, he worked for the company as a templet maker until 1903, and was then appointed
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shop inspector, a position which he still retains. His present re- sponsible position is the result of years of faithful and efficient service, and Mr. Sindorf is one of the most valued and trusted em- ployes, holding the entire respect and confidence of his superiors. He is allied with the Republican party and has taken quite an active interest in politics for several years, being elected trustee of the village of North Milwaukee in 1900 and 1901, and he is at pres- ent serving again in the same capacity. He is not a member of any of the orthodox religious denominations, but attends the Pres- byterian church, of which his wife is a zealous and active adherent. He is a member of the Milwaukee lodge the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Sindorf was married on Oct. 29, 1887, to Miss Rachael Sherwood, a lady of English birth, and they are the par- ents of five children, to-wit: Fred, Jr., Bessie, Albert, Raymond and Hazel.
Byron R. Godfrey, president of the Citizens' Bank of North Milwaukee, is a descendant of one of Wisconsin's prominent pioneer families. His grandfather, John Godfrey, was one of seven broth- ers who settled in the town of Lima, in Rock county, and became prosperous farmers in that thriving section. Of Scotch-Irish de- scent, the Godfrey family was allied with the Presbyterian church and associated with every undertaking for the benefit of the commu- nity. Peter A. Godfrey, father of the subject of this sketch, mar- ried Amelia Hawk, also a native of Rock county, and three children were born to them: Byron R .; Wesley, who also resides in North Milwaukee; and Annie Grace, who makes her home with her par- ents. Death called Mrs. Godfrey in 1880, and Mr. Godfrey later married Miss Bell Petherick, of Rock county. Two children blessed this union, Pearl and Oneita. Mr. Godfrey was never an aspirant for office, but a loyal member of the Republican party. Byron R. Godfrey was born at Lima, Rock county, Wis., in 1873, educated in the public schools, and trained by his father in the business of the farm. At the age of twenty he left home and located in North Milwaukee, where he engaged in the livery busi- ness, which he managed successfully for some time, finally going out to become a grocer. This business occupied him until 1898, when he became interested in a drug store, which he owned and managed until 1900. At this time he became village postmaster, and was also the first clerk of the village, which office he held from 1897 to 1903. Since 1900 Mr. Godfrey has been the senior member of the firm of Godfrey & Chase. which conducts a large real estate and insurance business. At the time of the organization of the Citizens' Bank, Sept. 1. 1906, Mr. Godfrey became its president. He is a member of the Episcopal church, a Republican in political affiliations, a member of the Milwaukee lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of the North Milwaukee Modern Woodmen of America. and of the Independent Order of Foresters. On Dec. 28, 1898, Mr. Godfrey married Miss Myrta A. Sairs, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Sairs, of Athens, Pa. One son, Byron S., was born to them on July 21, 1901. The parents of Mrs. Godfrey have
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also become residents of North Milwaukee, where Mr. Sairs, who is a bridge builder, is associated with the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company.
William C. Schwartzburg, retired commercial salesman, of North Milwaukee, is the son of one of Milwaukee's earliest citizens. His father, Christian W. Schwartzburg, and mother, Elizabeth Schwartzburg, were both natives of Germany, the former born on Feb. 21, 1800, and the latter on Feb. 15, 1809. Christian W. came to Milwaukee in 1837 and resided in Milwaukee county until his death, in 1872. He was a well-known member of the Milwaukee Pioneer Club. William C. Schwartzburg was born in the city of Milwaukee, Dec. 19, 1841, attended the Sixth ward school and later graduated at the Second ward high school. He enlisted as a private in Company A of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin infantry, Aug. 1, 1862, and was active in the engagements at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; at Stone's River, Dec. 31, 1862 to Jan. 3, 1863; at Chicka- mauga, Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, and was wounded on the latter day and taken prisoner. He suffered confinement in a Confederate prison until May 8, 1864, when he was duly exchanged, and returned to Milwaukee to recuperate his health. He was mustered out with his regiment and honorably discharged from the service at Nash- ville, Tenn., June 10, 1865. After the war he became a commercial salesman and was thus employed until 1884, when he retired from active business. Mr. Schwartzburg is a staunch supporter of the Republican party and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1892. He is also president of the school board of North Mil- waukee. On Sept. 20, 1884, Mr. Schwartzburg married Miss Kath- erine Bair, daughter of Jacob and Walburga Bair, of Milwaukee. Six children blessed the marriage: Hilda, age twenty-two years; Katie, age twenty; William, age eighteen; Erwin, age sixteen ; Gerald, age fourteen, and Henry, age twelve years. Mr. Schwartz- burg is prominent in the German Lutheran church, of which he has been trustee and treasurer for fourteen years, and which his family also attended. He is a member of E. B. Wolcott Post, G. A. R., of Milwaukee.
Albert Zinn, well-known in Milwaukee commercial circles as the president of the Milwaukee-Western Malt Company, was born in the Cream City on June 14, 1859. He is of good German stock, both his father and mother having been born in the Fatherland. After he completed the courses of the public and high schools of the city he attended for a time the Spencerian Business College and then accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Meadow Spring Distilling Company. In 1878 he assumed a similar position with Herman Nunnemacher, at that time proprietor of the Star Flouring Mills. Later when that concern became incorporated as the Star Milling Company Mr. Zinn became secretary and treasurer. With his brother, Adolph C. Zinn, he associated himself in the malting business in 1884, the firm later being incorporated as the Zinn Malting Company, and he was made its secretary and treasurer. In 1892 the Zinn Malting Company and the Asmuth Malt and Grain
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Company were consolidated under the name of the Milwaukee Malt and Grain Company, and Mr. Zinn became treasurer and superin- tendent. This position he filled until 1897, when the company dis- posed of its interests to the American Malting Company, of which he became assistant general manager. Two years later he severed this connection to accept the tender of the position of manager of the Fred Miller Brewing Company. In 1903 Mr. Zinn organized the Milwaukee-Western Malt Company, and he became its president, the position which he now holds. For the past thirty years he has been a prominent member of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, and is one of its influential members. In a fraternal way he is prominent in the Masonic order, having received the 32d degree. He is a member of Lafayette lodge, Calumet chapter, Ivanhoe com- mandery and Wisconsin consistory. He is a great devotee of golf and is one of the directors of the Blue Mound Country Club, and in a social way is identified with the Deutscher Club and the Mil- waukee Athletic Club. Although he has Republican proclivities Mr. Zinn is not actively allied with any political party and has never been a candidate for public office, nor does he allow his party fealty to influence the judicious exercise of his right of franchise. Mr. Zinn has lived on the West Side of the city all his life, but has recently built a new residence at 711 Shepard avenue, on Prospect Hill, near Lake Park.
Hon. William H. Landolt, the genial postmaster of Wau- watosa, was born in Heidelberg, Germany, on Aug. 10, 1844. He is a son of J. Ulrich and Louisa (von Spiegel) Landolt, the former of whom was born in Zurich, Switzerland, and the latter in Baden, Germany. The father was by vocation a book-binder. The sub- ject of this review was but three years of age when he came to this country with his parents and settled in New York city. He came to Wisconsin in 1848 and settled at Port Washington with the father. He took advantage of the educational advantages afforded by the public schools of Port Washington, but before he had com- pleted his course the Civil war had started, and he enlisted as a private in Company C of the Fifth Wisconsin infantry, in April, 1861. The regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Landolt took an active part in all the engagements in which the Sixth corps was engaged, winning all the promotions up to and in- cluding that of first sergeant. In the engagement at Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865, a few days before the surrender at Appomattox, he was so severely wounded in the leg that amputation was nec- essary. Shortly afterward he was made captain by brevet for signal bravery in the struggle in which he was wounded, and in which he was in command of his company. In July, 1865, he re- ceived an honorable discharge at Washington, D. C. He then re- turned to Milwaukee and laid the foundation for a business career by a course in the Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee. When he had completed that work he returned to Port Washing- ton and was three successive times elected county treasurer. When he retired from the public service he entered the Ozaukee county
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bank as cashier and remained in that position until 1888. In 1890 he removed to Wauwatosa and entered the insurance office of Colo- nel Bell, afterward Bell & Norris, and remained with that firm until March, 1899. In that month and year he was appointed postmaster of Wauwatosa, the position he has since been filling with the greatest of satisfaction both to the postoffice department and to the patrons of the office. In his political views Mr. Landolt has been a lifelong Republican, and his incumbency of public office has always been through the agency of that party. He is a Protestant in his religious belief, and for six years served as senior warden of Trinity Episcopal church. Captain Landolt has been twice mar- ried. On Oct. 8, 1872, occurred his union to Miss Elizabeth Kan- dilis, a daughter of Rev. Mr. Kandilis, a Russian missionary at Port Washington. By this union he had two children: Edward A., a resident of Seattle, Wash., and Louisa J., now Mrs. Charles M. Smith, also living in Seattle. Mrs. Landolt died on Sept. 12. 1879. On Nov. 22, 1881, Captain Landolt was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Lyon, a daughter of Captain Eli and Augusta Lyon, of Decatur, Mich. Two children were born to bless this union- Loleta B. and Esther A .- both living at home. In a fraternal way Captain Landolt is asociated with the E. B. Wolcott Post No. I, Grand Army of the Republic, and was elected commander for the term of a year in 1907. He is also enrolled as a member of Alpha Council of the Royal Arcanum, of Milwaukee.
J. A. Schwaiger, of Wauwatosa, was born on July 25, 1866, at Schlessingerville, Wis. His parents were J. F. and Mary (Schunk) Schwaiger, the father a native of Bavaria and the mother of Mil- waukee. J. F. Schwaiger came to the United States in 1851 and participated in the Civil war. He enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Wis- consin volunteer infantry. This regiment was mustered in on Nov. 27, 1863, and left the state the following April. It was en- gaged in guard and picket duty at Fort Hudson, was later in Arkansas on guard and scouting duty, and then returned to Louis- iana. On an expedition to the Atchafalaya river it was engaged in several skirmishes and later participated in the attack on Mobile. Mr. Schwaiger was mustered out for disability and later re-enlisted in the Forty-fifth Wisconsin infantry, which was sent to Nashville in the spring of 1865, and was there stationed until the muster out on July 17, 1865. J. F. Schwaiger had a family of five children- three boys and two girls-of whom there are now living only J. A., of this sketch, and Rose, wife of John Callos, of Milwaukee. The former was educated in the schools of Milwaukee. subsequently taking a course in the Spencerian Business College of the city, and he began in business for himself in October, 1901, after having been employed for thirteen years in the drug store of E. H. Schwaiger. He was married in 1890 to Miss Anna Bahr, of Mil- waukee. daughter of Herman Bahr, a native of Germany. She is one of a family of seven. three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Schwaiger have five children, namely: Jerome H., Raimond, Pearl, Ruth D. and Norman. The father is a Democrat in his
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