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 91
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political affiliations, and is a member of the fraternal order of Mod- ern Woodmen and the Masonic order. In church matters he be- longs to the Episcopal church, but his wife is a Lutheran.
John R. Benoy, of Wauwatosa, is the son of John and Mary (Cowles) Benoy, both natives of Lancashire, England. The father was a blacksmith and carriage manufacturer by trade, which he followed after coming to this country and settling in Boscobel, Grant county, Wis. He died in 1889, his wife surviving him a number of years and passing away in November, 1906. Of their five children all except one are living. James, the oldest, is now living in Boscobel and has retired from active business life ; Susie, deceased, was the wife of Peter Wahlstrom, of Chicago; John R., of this sketch, is the third; Thomas, residing in Spokane, Wash., is a blacksmith by trade; William, a carrriage trimmer, is a resi- dent of Boscobel. John R., born in Boscobel, Dec. 25, 1860, was educated in the schools of his native town and started at the age of eighteen to learn the art of printing. He was foreman of the Bos- cobel Dial for eight years, and in 1891, went to Milwaukee, where he was employed for a time on the Milwauke Sentinel, and later on the Evening Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Journal. In September, 1907, he purchased the Wauwatosa News, of which he is now the editor and proprietor. In politics he is an independent Republican. He belongs to the Typo Union of Milwaukee, and was president of the organization for the year 1906. He belongs also to the order of Good Templars, to the Maccabees, George Washington Tent, Milwaukee, and he is also a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Benoy is a strong, independent, and conscientious man, an excellent type of citizen, and a desirable addition to the editorial ranks of the country, in the present era, when there seems to be a superflu- ous amount of "yellow journalism." He brings to his work the practical experience of the printer, and a familiarity with the meth- ods of the city papers, as well as those sterling qualities of char- acter which are the most important factors of success in the im- portant work of the journalist. On Feb. 22, 1885, Mr. Benroy was married to Miss Ida Ladendorf, daughter of William and Cornelia Ladendorf, of Muscoda, Wis., and they have one son, Cornelius 'L., who is still a member of his father's household.
Dr. Carolus Phelps Southwell, deceased, for many years one of the best known and most popular members of the dental pro- fession in Milwaukee, was the descendant of an old New England family, and was born in the city of Springfield, Mass., Feb. 9, 1831, the son of John P. and Aseneath (Wood) Southwell, natives of the same state. His father, who died at Hudson, N. Y., in June, 1852, was a machinist by trade, and followed that calling first in the village of Catskill and afterward in the city of Hudson, N. Y. Our subject accompanied his parents to New York state very early in life, and was educated in the schools of the Empire state. He af- terward became a skilled machinist under his father's tutelage, and on Nov. 1, 1854, when he was twenty-three years of age, he came west to Milwaukee, Wis. Here he followed his calling for some
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years, was first in the employ of Decker & Seville, and later worked in the North Milwaukee shops. He finally determined to devote his fine mechanical talents to higher ends, and became a student of dentistry in the office of Dr. Stockwell. In the year 1861 he went to Watertown, Wis., where he engaged in the successful practice of his profession for a period of some nine years. He then returned to Milwaukee and opened an office, meeting with most flattering patronage, and he continued in the active practice of dentistry up to the time of his death, June 5, 1894. He became exceedingly well known in dental circles, and was elected president of the State Dental Association. Politically he was affiliated with the Repub- lican party, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church up to the time of his death. He was a sincere Christian and a man of most exemplary life and habits, sincerely devoted to. his wife and family, and exceptionally fond of all forms of out-door life. Among the fraternal orders of which he was a member were the Good Templars, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Royal Arcanum. Dr. Southwell was married on Oct. 25, 1852, to Miss Julia A., daughter of John and Maria ( Michael) Silvernail, of Columbia county, N. Y., and four children were the fruit of this union, as follows: George P., deceased; Claude A., a dentist resid- ing in Boise City, Idaho; Charles C., also a dentist, with offices in the Goldsmith Building on Wisconsin street, Milwaukee, and Al- bert H., a bookkeeper living in Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Southwell still survives her husband and makes her home with her son Charles C., at 931 Cambridge avenue. Her parents were both natives of Tagh- anack, N. Y., where John Silvernail had a large farm in Columbia country. In late life he came west to Chicago, where he made his home for several years with one of his sons, finally going to Pierce City, Mo., and dying at the latter place.
Edward Silverman, deceased, was born in Milwaukee, Jan. 18, 1852. His parents were Emanuel and Peppe (Adler) Silverman, both born in Austria. The father came to America, first settling in New York city, where he remained a short time and then came to Milwaukee, where he engaged in the wholesale clothing business. Our subject was the second of five children. He received his edu- cation in the German-English Academy, Milwaukee Academy, and also at New York College, New York city. After completing his education he went into the wholesale clothing business with his. father. After his father's death he sold his interest in the business to L. A. Shakman. He then engaged in the general insurance busi- ness with Louis Auer & Son, which business he followed until his. death in 1901, representing most of the leading insurance com- panies of this country and Europe. On March 16, 1897, he mar- ried Miss Josephine Weide, daughter of Henry and Josephine (Nunnemacher) Weide. To them were born two children-Eman- uel Edward and Henry Weide. Mr. Silverman was thoroughly do- mestic in his habits, modest in demeanor, and devoted to his family and his business. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought political preferment. He was a member of the Deutscher Club, the
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Phoenix Club, the Black Hawk Hunting Club and the Milwaukee Gun Club. Mrs. Silverman's parents were both born in Germany. The father was a contractor and came to Milwaukee in 1853. He engaged in the shipbuilding business with John Wolfe, in which business he was quite successful. Later he engaged again in the contracting business. He was a member of the Old Settlers' Club and the Turnverein. He died about 1878, age forty-seven, leaving his wife and one daughter.
Nicholas Elmer, deceased, for many years a famous caterer of Milwaukee and other cities, was born in Elm, Switzerland, May 28, 1830, the son of Jacob and Marie Elmer, both natives of Switzer- land. His father was for many years a judge of one of the local courts of Elm, where he and his wife died, leaving a family of several children. Our subject was educated in the common and parish schools of Switzerland. He began his independent career in the hotel business, which he followed in Paris and Hamburg. In 1858 he came to the United States, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he opened a cafe, which he continued until he came to Mil- waukee in 1877 to conduct a hotel. He retired from active business several years before his demise, which occurred on May 10, 1889. On March 18, 1860, he married Miss Emma, daughter of Edward and Augusta (Hagedorn) Colbrunn, of Rockport, Ohio, and to their union five children were born: Alma, widow of William Sholz, of Milwaukee; Lucy, wife of Charles Kipper, of Milwaukee; Vera, at home; Oswald, of San Francisco, Cal., and Flora, a teacher in the public schools of Milwaukee. Mrs. Elmer's parents were natives of Germany, where her father was a manufacturer of linen and damask cloths, employing over 100 people. The family came to the United States in 1848, first settling in Cleveland, Ohio, and later moving to Rockport, Ohio, where the father purchased a large farm, on which he died, the mother having been called to her eternal home while the family resided at Cleveland. In religion the Elmers were strict members of the Lutheran church, while in politics our subjet was a Republican. As a tradesman he was master of his craft, and he spared no labor to advance and perfect himself in his calling, which ministers to the palates of men. He was a kind and loving father, a devoted husband and a faithful friend, respected by all.
Bruno Moeller, deceased, was born at Gotha, Germany, March 30, 1846, the son of Frederick and Bertha (Schmidt) Moeller, both natives of Germany, where the former was born on April 22, 1788, and died on April 28, 1869, and the latter was born on July 23, 1807, and died on April 21, 1875. The father was a minister of the Luth- eran church and was pastor at Ballstedt, Saxony, for fifty years. The celebration of his golden jubilee as pastor of that church was a remarkable and noteworthy event, when those whom he had bap- tized and those whom he had married during half a century gath- ered in large numbers around their beloved and aged pastor to say their farewells. It was a sight that is not often witnessed in a life- time and one never to be forgotten. Many affecting scenes were in
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evidence when, on that fiftieth anniversary, the patriarchal form bent with the weight of years, that had ministered so faithfully and so long to his flock's spiritual wants, surrendered his charge to other hands. There were eleven children in the family: Theckla, Edmund, Adelbert, Lina, Bertha, Anna, Caroline, Olga, Clara, Gus- tave and Bruno. Our subject was educated in the primary schools at Gotha and the advanced schools at Leispic, Germany, and came to the United States in 1862, locating in New York city, engaging with the Knickerbocker Life Insurance Company as superintendent of the German department. In 1870 he located in Milwaukee as manager of the H. Heyn Dry Goods Company, continuing so en- gaged for six years. Later he traveled five years for the Hudson- Monner Company, wholesale importers of special dry goods, of New York city, after which he engaged with Storm & Hill in the wholesale dry goods business, and subsequently he served for twenty-five years in the firm of Goll & Frank, of Milwaukee, where he remained until his death, Oct. 9, 1903. On Sept. 18, 1869, he married Miss Lauretta Margaretha, daughter of Gottlieb and Mar- garetha Ludwig, of Hoboken, N. J., and they were blessed with six children : Bruno, deceased; Hermine, wife of Clarence A. Gunn, of Chicago; Bruno, residing in New Mexico; Edgar, with the Free Press, city; Arthur, deceased, and Cora, wife of Fred H. Squier, city, advertising manager for the Babst Brewing Company. Mrs. Moeller's parents are both natives of Eisenach, Saxony, Ger- many, the father being a building contractor, and he came with his family to the United States in 1850, locating at New York and pur- suing his occupation, but ten years later he moved to Hoboken, N. J., to continue his business, from which he retired several years ago after the death of his wife, Aug. 5, 1900, and he is yet living at Weehawken Heights, N. J. Our subject was a Lutheran in re- ligion, a Republican in politics, and was also a member of the Ma- sons, of the Germania Club and of the T. P. A.
William F. Sanger, the president of the Sanger Automobile Company, of Milwaukee, is one of the younger and progressive business men, who are an important factor in the growth and de- velopment of the city. He is an American by birth, but of German descent, born in the Cream City on Aug. 20, 1875. His father was Casper M. Sanger, a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country from the Fatherland and located in Detroit, Mich., where he met and married Mary Holler, the mother of William. The elder Sanger moved from Detroit to Milwaukee a few years after coming to the United States, and engaged in the leather industry with a Mr. Allen. He saw more of a future in lumber and sold out his interest in the leather business and associated himself with a Mr. Rockwell, under the firm name of Sanger & Rockwell, and they soon were conducting one of the largest lumber yards in the city. Mr. Sanger was a shrewd business man, his business was growing rapidly, and he branched out into other lines; bought an interest in some milling concerns and invested in the mines in the northern part of the state. Everything he was interested in pros-
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pered, and he became recognized as one of the weighty men of af- fairs whose judgment was that of an expert in any business affair. Mr. Sanger was one of the strong supporters of the Republican party in politics, and at one time he was sheriff of Milwaukee. His busy life in later years left him no time to seek for political honors. His active life closed on Aug. 16, 1898, after years of unselfish de- votion, kindly thought and devotion to his fellow men. His death was a distinct loss to the community, and he was mourned by his wide circle of friends and business associates. William F. Sanger received his elementary education in the public schools of Mil- waukee and the Holy Rosary school ; he then took a thorough busi- ness course at the Spencerian Business College, and subsequently attended Marquette University. After finishing his college course he became bookkeeper for C. M. Sanger & Sons, his father's com- pany. After being engaged at desk work for some time he decided to engage in business for himself, and became a dealer in bicycle handle-bars. He soon built up this line and disposed of it to go into the wholesale and retail cigar trade, and after some time was able to dispose of this with considerable profit to himself in order to accept a position with M. E. Doran & Company, brokers, of St. Paul, Minn., but a year later was appointed deputy county clerk and returned to Milwaukee. Mr. Sanger had always been interested in machinery, and two years after he became deputy clerk he organ- ized the Sanger Automobile Company and became its president. The firm was located at the corner of Third and State streets in 1904, but a year later moved to its present desirable location at 572-4 Farwell avenue. It handles Franklin, Maxwell and Stude- baker machines, and does all kinds of repairing, and the garage has about six thousand square feet of space for storing machines. The company has had a substantial and satisfactory growth and it now handles and stores about forty cars in the garage. Mr. Sanger is a thorough sportsman and is fond of all kinds of outdoor sports ; he is a member of the Milwaukee Yacht Club, the originator of the Tecetl Club on the East Side, and he is also a member of the Mil- waukee Automobile Trade Association. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.
Ralph Bird, a postoffice inspector of the government, with headquarters in Milwaukee, was born at Jefferson, Jefferson county, Wis., on Nov. 21, 1864. He is a son of Ira W. and Mary E. (Howes) Bird, the former of whom was born at Stockbridge, N. Y. The father came to Milwaukee first in 1836 in company with his brother, Augustus, and for some time was engaged as a clerk in a general store on Walker's Point. He then went to Madison and was there engaged in the construction of the first capitol building. During his residence in that city he was elected sheriff of Dane county, and when his term expired he became imbued with the "gold fever" that was sweeping the country and made his way over- land to California. He returned to Madison by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York, and shortly afterward was elected reg- ister of deeds of Dane county. During the time that he was the
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incumbent of the above-named office he studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar, and when he had completed his term of service he removed to Jefferson, Wis., where for many years he was one of the leading members of the legal profession. For twelve years he served as county judge and was also mayor of the city. His death occurred on March II, 1899, and his widow is still living. Five children were born to the parents, one of whom died in in- fancy. Ella is now Mrs. Robert Kirkland, of Jefferson; Belle is Mrs. Charles Copeland, of Jefferson, and Jeanette now resides with her mother. Ralph Bird, the subject of this review, received all his educational advantages in the public schools of Jefferson. At the age of eighteen he accepted a position as clerk in his father's law offices, where he remained for a period of two years. He then successfully passed the examination submitted by the civil service commission, and for nine and a half years after 1885 was occupied as a railway mail clerk. On Sept. 13, 1894, he received an appoint- ment from Postmaster-General Wilson S. Bissell as postoffice in- spector, and has ever since held the office. He has today fifteen different commissions, appointing him to the office, signed by eight different postmasters-general. His service has been one of the longest among the inspectors in the government service, and the fact that he has retained the office through so many changes of ad- ministration speaks well for his ability. In his political belief Mr. Bird has always remained independent since holding office under the civil service. In religious matters he is allied with the Epis- copal church. On May II, 1886, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Olivia Greenwood, a daughter of Charles S. and Catherine (Cummings) Greenwood, of Aztalan, Jefferson county, Wis. To this union have been born three children, whose names and the dates of birth follow: Ira W., Aug. 27, 1888; Roland G., May 2, 1891, and James N., Jan. 6, 1897. All are living at home and at- tending school.
Jordon Puetz, one of the oldest residents and prosperous farm- ers of Milwaukee county, who has been one of the important factors in its development and early settlement, was born at Cologne, Ger- many, Aug. 8, 1838, being the son of Jordon and Elizabeth (Hanis) Puetz, both natives of the same place. The father was reared and educated in his native country, at an early age learned the baker's trade, and being an ambitious man established himself in the bakery business at Roestorp, Germany, where he continued to con- duct his banking establishment until he emigrated to the United States in 1845. The family came directly to Milwaukee, and within four months Mr. Puetz purchased a farm in what is now the town of Lake. The county was not well settled at that period, and the log house to which he took his family was considered a fine residence. It was warm and comfortable, and here the family set- tled down to life in the new country. The farm prospered, and in 1867 Mr. Puetz had accumulated sufficient capital to buy a larger and finer home in St. Francis, where he passed away in 1877. He was suvived by his wife and loving helpmate until 1887, when she,
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too, was summoned to her last rest and was laid beside her hus- band. They had reared a family of eleven children, four of whom are still living: William, Fred, Jordon and Mrs. Grobshmidt, of St. Francis. Jordon, our subject, was reared and received his edu- cation in the public schools of the town of Lake. When only fourteen years of age he left school and remained on the farm with his father. He cut wood, hauled it to Milwaukee, and sold it at seventy-five cents a load. This was hard work for a young boy, but he was ambitious and was not afraid of work. After reaching his majority Mr. Puetz went to work for a telegraph construction company that was erecting a line between Milwaukee and Chicago. Subsequently he engaged in the timber business and furnished the lumber that went into many of the large buildings in Milwaukee, and they are in a way a monument to his business. In 1870 Mr. Puetz saw that the farmer was the most independent man, owning no master but himself, and he bought a farm of his own in the town of Lake, where he still resides. He has seen the rapid growth and development of Cudahy, South Milwaukee and the city of Mil- waukee itself, and has always been interested in public affairs. May 15, 1862, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Puetz and Elizabeth Bauer, the daughter of Henry Joseph and Lena Bauer, old and re- spected residents of the town of Lake. The following children were born to bless this union; 'Lena, deceased: Anna; Jordon, Jr., de- ceased; Elizabeth, Christine, John, Joseph and Nellie. Mr. Puetz is the grandparent of eighteen children. Mrs. Puetz was called to take that long journey from which no traveler returns on Aug. 21, 1898, and she was laid to rest in St. Francis Cemetery, leaving a sorrowing family. She had been devoted to her husband and chil- dren, and in no place was her loss more keenly felt than in the Catholic church, in which she and her husband were members and loyal workers. Mr. Puetz is a loyal supporter of the Democratic party and he takes an active interest in local affairs, being a mem- -ber of the School Benevolent Society of St. Francis.
Frank Gruenwald, deceased, who was one of the prominent stock-raisers and general farmers of the town of Lake, Milwaukee county, was a native of Wisconsin, born in that town in 1839, the son of Frank and Mary Ann Gruenwald, who were born and reared in Prussia, Germany. The father heard of the great opportunities presented to a young and ambitious man in America and sailed for the new world in 1837. Soon after landing lie came to Wis- consin with that great tide of immigrants that poured into the territory of Wisconsin between 1830 and 1850. He and Mrs. Gruen- wald were among the first of the pioneer settlers in the town of Lake, where they took up a section of government land. With his own hands Mr. Gruenwald constructed the log hut that was their first home. Neighbors were not near in those days, and Mrs. Gruenwald helped her husband cut down the trees and shape the logs they used for building. The conveniences these first settlers had were very few; they ground their grain by hand between stones in order to obtain flour for bread, and lived in close relation
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with the Indians, for Wisconsin was nearly an unbroken wilderness at that time. After clearing his land Frank Gruenwald, who was a mason by trade, combined that vocation with farming and laid many of the stone walls and foundations for the early homes in the town of Lake. Mr. Gruenwald prospered and reared his family on the hospitable old homestead in the town of Lake. There his children were born and reared. Mrs. Gruenwald was called on that long journey from which no traveler ever returns, in 1883, and she was followed by her husband six years later. Frank, Jr., the sub- ject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm and received his scholastic training in the public schools of the town of Lake. After finishing his studies he went into Milwaukee and engaged in the brewing business, being employed in the Nunnemacher brewery. He had been in the city five years when this country was rent asunder by civil war, and at the first call for volunteers he enlisted . as a private in Company A, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin infantry, which was organized in Milwaukee, and was mustered in on Oct. 14, 1862. It was sent to Kentucky, joined Gorham's expedition up the White river, and was subsequently sent on the Yazoo Pass ex- pedition. It was engaged in the operations against Fort Pemberton and in many minor expeditions during the spring. The regiment was on guard and defense duty at Pine Bluff for a long period during the winter, and then returned to Little Rock. In 1865 it was ordered to Mobile, was assigned to the Third division, was in the trenches before Spanish fort for nearly a month, and was then sent to McIntosh Bluff. From there it was ordered to Texas, where it remained until mustered out of the service on Aug. 3, 1865. Mr. Gruenwald served gallantly with the other members of the rgiment, and came through the ordeal of war and bloodshed un- scathed, save for a severe wound in the leg, received in one of the important engagements. Returning to Wisconsin at the close of the war he again entered the employ of the Nunnemachers and be- came one of the confidential and trusted workmen. After thirty- six years of faithful service with this firm he retired from business life, and bought fifty-two acres of land in the town of Lake, where he bred race horses and conducted his farm until his death on Nov. 4, 1908. Mr. Gruenwald met with gratifying success in his new field and was regarded as one of the most progressive horse men in this section of the country. In 1869 Mr. Gruenwald married Anna, the daughter of Henry and Ricki Meyer, who were among the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee county. Ten children came to bless this union and to be a comfort to Mr. and Mrs. Gruenwald in their declining years: Joseph, John, Christ, Anna, Mary, James. Benjamin, Lawrence, Clara and Albert. The family are devout Catholics, the religion of their ancestors, and they are members of St. Martin's Catholic church. Mr. Gruenwald took an active inter- est in local affairs, though he never aspired to public office of any kind.
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