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 96

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

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and thrift to lay by a sum of money which, added to a few thon- sand dollars left him by his father, became the foundation of his banking enterprise. In 1847 he started West, stopping in Pittsburg to consult a friend, who advised him to embark in the banking business, although without experience therein. The same year he came to Milwaukee and rented one-half of a small store on East Water street, near Huron, and with his slender capital, and unas- sisted, he opened the bank which, later, with Charles F. Ilsley as a partner, became the Marshall & Ilsley Bank, the oldest continuous bank in the Northwest. Mr. Marshall was painstaking, industrious, strictly honorable, and conservative, and by these qualities soon won the confidence of the public. On Jan. 1, 1853, he organized the State Bank at Madison, the first state bank to be organized under the general banking law, and he remained its president until 1890. In 1901 he resigned the presidency of the Marshall & Ilsley Bank, although he retained his interest in it. In 1887 the Marshall & Ilsley Bank was made a state bank under the same name. After founding the State Bank at Madison he lived in the capitol city for a number of years, but later removed to Milwaukee, where he resided until his death. He was interested in the founding of the Milwaukee Public Library, the Historical Library at Madison, and the Humane Society. He derived great pleasure in the keeping of domestic animals, for whom he had a great love. Mr. Marshall was one of the incorporators of the Milwaukee City Railway, which operated the first street cars in the city, in 1865, and he was also one of the first board of directors of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Among his other business interests was the presidency of the Milwaukee Cement Company. He occupied a distinguished position in the financial and commercial world, where his sterling ideas of honor and integrity were honored and esteemed. During the panic of 1893 he was daily at the bank, and a glance at his face gave assurance to anxious depositors that their interests were in safe hands. That was the third panic through which his sagacity and wisdom safely guided the institution. In his political belief he was a stanch Republican, but despite the urgent solicitation of many friends and the fact that he was keenly interested in public affairs, he steadily refused to become a candi- date for public office. He was one of the most thoroughly trusted and respected figures, whose name had for half a century carried with it for all who knew him the impression of strictest probity, of plain living and straight dealing, of a man of whom it could be lit- erally said that "his word was as good as his bond." He was gen- erous and public-spirited in a quiet way, and in his social and per- sonal relations was a most kindly, benignant character. His chief contribution to the upbuilding of his adopted city was his careful guidance of its financial energy into safe channels. He was a man of forceful character, with a keen mind, well stored from solid read- ing. Always tenderly alive to the cry of struggling humanity, he would seek out the deserving, and in an inconspicuous way would assist them. To those in his employ he was always a wise and

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kind friend, and many remained in his employ a lifetime. For more than forty years he journeyed to Philadelphia to attend the annual meetings of the Friends' Society, and at such times his deeply re- ligious spirit would be refreshed and strengthened, and he enjoyed converse with relatives and friends. His home life was ideal, and his hospitable nature always made delightful the visits of neighbors and friends. Probably nowhere could be found a man to whom might more aptly be applied the Biblical quotation: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of his days is peace." Mr. Marshall was twice married. In 1850 he was united in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Grubt, of Wilmington, Del., and together they came to Milwaukee and settled in a brick house at the corner of Wisconsin and Jackson streets. Mrs. Marshall died in 1851, leaving, beside her husband, a son, who passed away in 1854. In 1857 Mr. Marshall married Miss Emma Hager, of Middle- bury, Vt., a daughter of Jonathan and Louise (Trudeau) Hager, the latter a French-Canadian. To this union were born four chil- dren, all of whom survived him. Mr. Marshall's demise occurred on Sept. 1, 1907.

Jacob Elias Friend is one of the influential men of the city of Milwaukee and a well-known member of the bar, but during the past few years he has devoted the greater part of his time to car- ing for his extensive private interests. He is a native of Milwau- kee, where he was born on Dec. 6, 1857, the only child of Elias and Rosa (Stern) Friend, the former of whom was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 20, 1824, and the latter in Albany, N. Y., on March I, 1839. The paternal grandfather, Louis Friend, was a member of the body-guard of the king of Bavaria and fought against the Austrians under Napoleon in the war which began in 1805, Bavaria at that time being an ally of France. The maternal ancestors came from Germany to the United States about 1839, after which the grandfather engaged successfully in the business of a coal mer- chant. Elias Friend, the father of the subject of this review, came to America in company with his brother, Henry Friend, in 1840, and together they shared the hardships, privations and the many obstacles which confront every man striving for success. He first drifted to Pennsylvania and later to Alabama, coming to Milwau- kee in 1847, and there was among the earliest pioneers. The two brothers engaged in the retail dry goods and clothing business, and in 1848 were joined by another brother, Meyer Friend, when the firm of H. Friend & Brothers was established. Their industry, in- tegrity and business ability brought them assured success, and in 1868 the business was removed to Broadway and Michigan street, where larger and more spacious quarters gave them an opportunity to meet the needs of the business, which had grown to large pro- portions. They then devoted their entire time to the wholesale clothing business, which developed into one of the largest estab- lishments of its kind in the West. It is still in existence and is one of the largest corporations doing business in the city of Milwaukee. During his life-time Elias Friend was always ready to assist and

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lend his aid to any worthy cause. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and his honorable career is a heritage of which any son may be proud. He died on Nov. 5, 1890, and his widow still resides in Milwaukee. Jacob Elias Friend, whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the public schools of his native city, and later attended the Milwaukee Acad- emy, in which he graduated with the class of 1874. He then began the study of law, and after due preparation matriculated at the Columbia University College of Law, in New York city, and grad- uated in 1878 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He began the practice of his profession in Milwaukee shortly after his gradua- tion, being admitted to the bar in 1879, and his first association was under the firm name of Dey & Friend. By the addition of a third partner the firm was afterward styled Chapin, Dey & Friend, but subsequently Mr. Friend became a member of the firm of Wil- liams, Friend & Bright, continuing in that connection until 1892, when he engaged in practice by himself and established a large and lucrative business. His active legal practice continued over a period of twenty years, but since 1899 he has given the greater part of his attention to his extensive business interests outside of the field of law. He has been very active in the upbuilding of the Nordberg Manufacturing Company, of which he is president, mantt- facturers of engines and mining machinery. He is vice-president of the Friend Brothers Clothing Company, manufacturers of cloth- ing, and he also is director and chairman of the executive com- mittee of the Northwestern National Insurance Company, of Mil- waukee. Besides the interests mentioned, he is interested in other large enterprise, and is a director in the National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee. He has served as vice-president and has been presi- dent for a number of years of the Greenwood cemetery, and he is a member of the Federated Jewish Charities, being also actively identified with many other charitable institutions. His political views are in harmony with the platform expressions of the Re- publican party, and he was a member of the state legislature dur- ing the sessions of 1883 and 1885, being elected in 1882 and re- elected in 1884. He served as a member of the board of fire and po- lice commissioners of Milwaukee three years, from 1902 to 1905. and he has been otherwise active in public affairs and in the coun- sels of his party. He was married on April 29, 1885, to Miss Alice, daughter of Albert and Julia (Fries) 'Levy, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and to this union there have been born three children: Robert E., Margaret A. and James A. In religious affairs Mr. Friend is a member of the Jewish church, and he is intensely interested in all the Jewish institutions, both religious and charitable. He is a members of the University and Deutscher clubs of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Bar Association, the Queen City Club of Cincinnati. Ohio, and the Engineers' Club of New York.

Alfred J. Cohn, D. D. S., is one of the prominent figures among the dentists of Milwaukee. He was born in that city on July 27, 1869, the son of Hugo Cohn, who is mentioned more particularly

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in' the sketch of another son, Dr. Arthur Cohn. Dr. Alfred J. Cohn received his preliminary educational advantages in the public schools of Milwaukee, and in 1890 received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania. Soon afterward he located in Milwaukee, and this city has ever since been his home. He has been most success- fully engaged professionally and has won for himself an excellent reputation among the other practitioners of the city, Although he has been a stanch Republican ever since taking interest in political matters, he has never sought public preferment for himself. Fra- ternally and socially Dr. Cohn is identified with the Milwaukee Musical Society, the Blue lodge of the Masonic order, and the Knights of Pythias, and in the latter order is a past chancellor. On Oct. 24, 1901, Dr. Cohn was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Independence Saxe, who was born in Milwaukee in 1879. Mrs. Cohn's parents, Louis and Marie (Swartz) Saxe, both now de- ceased, were among the early settlers of Milwaukee.

William A. Schroeder, of 315 Nineteenth avenue, Milwaukee, treasurer of the Schroeder lumbering business, is a native of the Cream City and was born on Aug. 24, 1862. His parents, John and Margaret Schroeder, were born in Hanover, Germany. The paternal family immigrated to this country, locating in St. Louis, where the father worked as a teamster for a number of years, sub- sequently removing to Milwaukee, where he followed the same line of business. Later he started the lumber business, in which line he has been most successful, and has built up one of the largest industries of Milwaukee. William A. was educated in the public and private schools of this city, then took a course in the Spencerian Business College of Milwaukee, and later attended the Lutheran Northwestern University of Watertown, Wis., in which institution he was graduated in 1878. After leaving college he entered the lumber firm with his father, having charge of the lumber yards on the south side of the city, and is now also treasurer for the whole business, which includes a large mill on the north side, large tracts of timberland in northern Wisconsin, and other saw-mills at Ashland, Wis. In politics Mr. Schroeder is independent, and his many duties in connection with his business have given him little time to participate in practical politics. His religious faith is expressed by membership in St. John's Lutheran church, of Milwaukee. On Oct. 12, 1887, he was married to Miss Johanna Starke, daughter of August and Mary (Olting) Starke, of Milwaukee, and to this union four children have been born, namely : Edwin, Alfred, Norma, and Henry. Mr. Schroeder is one of the representative citizens of Milwaukee and holds a recognized position in commercial circles in the city.

William Dunlop Harper was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 13, 1858, the son of William Dunlop and Margaret (McGregory) Harper. The father was born on June 23, 1826, and the mother on April 30, 1830. Together the parents came to this country from Scotland, where they were married on June 14, 1850. For six

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years the father followed his trade of Brussels weaver, and on Oct. 20, 1854, he came to Milwaukee, where he changed his occupation to that of painter. He died on Sept. 11, 1903, and is survived by his widow. William Dunlop Harper, Jr., was educated in the pub- lic schools of Milwaukee, and upon his graduation in the high school he became cashier for the I. N. Morton Drug Company. After two years he became associated with his father as a painter. In 1903 he became deputy sheriff of Milwaukee county, serving one term. He later became claim agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, and then building inspector of the city of Mil- waukee. In politics Mr. Harper is a republican and his administration of the office of deputy sheriff was marked by unswerving fidelity and energy in enforcing the laws of the commonwealth. He has held the office of assistant secretary of the county and city Republican committees. Mr. Harper's wife is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal church. His children attend the Congregational church. Mr. Harper was married on July 31, 1878, to Miss Cary E. Bowes, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hartley) Bowes, of Milwaukee. and the following children have blessed their union: William James, born July 29, 1881; Arthur Charles, born Sept. 20, 1883. and died May 25, 1894; David McGregor, born Jan. 23, 1886, and Gordon Meral, born Jan. 28, 1895. Mr. Harper's residence is at 35 Thirty-third street, Milwaukee.

Abner Zartzin, D. D. S., 213 Nineteenth street, was born in New York, N. Y., on Jan. 27, 1877, the son of Bernard Zartzin, of whom more particular mention is made elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of another son. Dr. Zartzin received his preliminary educational advantages in the public and high schools of Milwau- kee, and in 1898 received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Chicago Dental College. Immediately after graduation he came to Milwaukee, and here he has since been actively and suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Ever since he became a citizen he has been aligned with the Republican party, but has never sought public preferment for himself. Dr. Zartzin is unmarried.

Albert J. Richter, D. D. S., is one of the leading dentists of Milwaukee, and was born in that city on May 20, 1859. He is the son of Dr. Albrecht Richter, of whom more particular mention is made in the sketch of Dr. Rudolph G. Richter, another son, else- where in this volume. After completing his early educational train- ing in the German-English Academy of Milwaukec, he entered the dental office of his father, and under the able preceptorship of his parent, thoroughly mastered the details of the profession. He worked with his father for a number of years, and at his death suc- ceeded to his practice, which he has maintained with the same de- gree of excellence ever since. For several years Dr. Richter was a member of Troop A, First Cavalry, Wisconsin National Guard, locally known as the Light Horse Squadron, and when he retired he had risen to the rank of first sergeant. Professionally he is iden- tified with the Wisconsin State Dental Society, and he is now serv-

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ing as president of the Milwaukee Riding Club, in which he has been actively interested since its organization. Politically he is a Republican and in religious matters is allied with St. Mark's Epis- copal church. Dr. Richter has been twice married. By his first wife, nee Hattie Jean Roberts, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Roberts, of Milwaukee, he was the father of three children, two of whom died in infancy, and Hattie S. died at the age of five years. Mrs. Hattie Jean (Roberts) Richter passed away in 1892. On May 20, 1894, was celebrated Dr. Richter's union to Miss Annie S. Dykes, a native of Oshkosh, Wis., and a daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Birmingham) Dykes, of Milwaukee.

Dr. A. Leo Richter is one of the prominent figures in odon- tological circles in Milwaukee. He was born in that city on Aug. 24, 1866, the son of Dr. Albrecht Richter, of whom more particular mention is made in the sketch of another son, Dr. Rudolph G. Richter. His early educational advantages were received in the Milwaukee Academy, and he began the study of dentistry with his brothers, Henry and R. G. In 1884, after serving for a time with Dr. J. S. Reynolds, he became a registered dentist, and has since that time been actively and successfully engaged in his chosen pro- fession. In politics Dr. Richter is a stanch Rpublican and in re- ligious matters is allied with the Lutheran church. Fraternally Dr. Richter is identified with the Knights of Pythias.

George Dutton Ladd, M. D., was for many years one of the most successful medical practitioners in Milwaukee. He is the son of Edwin Orlando and Sarah (Crandall) Ladd, the former of whom was born in Woodstock. Vt., and the latter at Hartford in the same state. The paternal grandfather, Mason Ladd, was born in Woodstock and spent all his life there. The father. Edwin O., was engaged in the insurance business, and brought his family to Milwaukee in 1856. Here he died in April, 1899, at the ripe old age of eighty- two years, and his widow passed away in 1906. Of the six children born to the parents four grew to maturity, and three of the latter are now living. Dr. Ladd attended the public schools of Milwau- kee and Markham's Academy, and for his professional training went to Chicago, where, in 1875, he was graduated at Rush Medi- cal College with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Upon his re- turn to Milwaukee he began his practice and was successfully and continuously engaged in it until 1906, specializing in surgery, and in that year impaired health compelled his retirement. He has since been living quietly in an effort to regain his usual vigor and strength. Dr. Ladd is a Republican, but has never sought to be- come an office-holder. Although he is a member of the Presby- terian church, he is exceedingly liberal in his religious views. Pro- fessionally he is identified with the American, the state, the county, and the city medical societies. In 1885, Dr. Ladd was united in marriage to Miss'Annette A. Dutcher, of Milwaukee, who died in 1892. Two children were born to bless the union: Annette, who now resides at 408 Irving Place, Milwaukee; and Lucile, deceased.

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Otto Schorse, Ph. G., one of the oldest pharmacists in Mil- waukee, was born in Brunswick, Germany, on Aug. 10, 1837, the son of Wilhelm and Minna (Korn) Schorse. Both parents lived their entire lives in Germany. Otto attended the excellent public schools of his native land and there became a registered pharma- cist before he had reached his twentieth year. In September, 1857, he came to Milwaukee direct from the Fatherland and secured em- ployment in this city. When the Civil war broke out he felt called upon to give to his adopted country the benefit of the military knowledge which he acquired, and he enlisted as a private in Com- pany F, of the Sixth Wisconsin infantry, on July 11, 1861. With his regiment he participated in the fights at Gainesville, the second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, South Moun- tain, Gettysburg, and many skirmishes, and at the end of two years' service was mustered out with the rank of captain. He returned to Milwaukee and entered the employ of the Eno Meyer Drug Com- pany, with which firm he remained for a period of two years. In 1865 he embarked in the drug business under his own name, and has since that time been most successful in the conduct of his estab- lishment. Many younger druggists in the city have served appren- ticeships under the able preceptorship of Mr. Schorse. Politically he is a Republican, but has never sought public preferment for him- self. In 1865, Mr. Schorse was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Reinecke, a native of Germany, and to this union were born nine children, all of whom are living.

Emma May Alexander Reinertsen-"Gale Forest."-It should not be difficult to tell the story of a noble, high-minded, educated, refined woman; a devoted, loving wife; a wise, good mother; a true friend, and a through-and-through Christian, who, all her life, has been a leader in many ways, an originator and a doer and writer of things that have bestowed ample blessings upon the world; but the editor, who has known Mrs. Reinertsen for nearly a quarter of a century, enters upon the task with misgivings, conscious that he will lack, very likely in many ways, in ability to do full justice to the subject. There is patriot, heroic, and the gentlest of blood in the veins of this talented, brave, just, gentle, and home-making and home-loving woman. Her great-grandfather, Peter Belknap, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving faithfully from the opening of hostilities until the last march was made and the last battle fought. Her grandfather, Jacob Alexander, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Her father, Capt. Squire Alexander, was master of some of the largest transports in government service during the Civil war, and at a bombardment of Fort Sumter by the iron-clads, was captain of the Despatch boat, "Governor," which, because of her high speed, was of very great service to the navy. A New York paper, in speaking of Captain Alexander, said: "He is one of our most noted captains, having commanded every kind of craft from the small lake schooner to the magnificent Trans-Atlantic steam- ship of the present day. His last voyage was to Greenock, Scot- land. While there he was introduced to Grand Duke Alexis, and Constantine-as well as others of the royal family who were pres-

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ent at the launching of the yacht built in Scotland for their father, the Czar of Russia. During a voyage of three years in the brig Black Hawk, when he visited all the principal cities of the world, he never lost a sail or a spar, nor was he once beaten in an ocean race." This war record is all on the paternal side of Mrs. Reinertsen's family. O. S. Fowler, the noted phrenologist, said to her father: "You are an out-and-out progressor, with an ambition towering." Mrs. Reinertsen's mother, who was a Miss Sherman, a relative to the great general and the senator, was left an orphan in infancy and was adopted by Col. Samuel French, who "traced his ancestry to the Mayflower." She was such a woman as we might expect in the mother of such a daughter-gentle, courageous, a deep thinker, greatly admiring and sincerely loving those nearest and dearest to her, proud of their achievements, always looking on the bright side. When a young girl she joined the Universalist church, from choice. Of her, O. S. Fowler said: "A woman of great dignity, stable and true-a reli- able article ; strong intellect ; literary desires very good; children can not be surpassed." The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1853, and came to Milwaukee when four years of age, her father having given up their beautiful home for a ship- building patent and a portion of Jones Island, promising his wife and little girl that within a year they should have a thirty-thousand dollar home in Milwaukee. The patent proved to be worthless, and in those days Jones Island was not at par. After making and losing two or three fortunes, Captain Alexander returned to his life on the sea, saying that he was almost amphibious and couldn't live off the water. On the sea he died, and in the sea he was buried. His widow died about ten years ago. Mrs. Reinertsen was educated in public and private schools in Milwaukee; she was for some time a student at the Milwaukee College for young women, now known as Milwaukee-Downer College. It was in the plan to graduate. Had she remained another year a college diploma would have been hers. but the young woman was persuaded to take a marriage certificate instead, and declares that she has never regretted it, which speaks volumes for her worthy husband. Her home, husband, and her boys, always have held first place-highest rank-in her heart, though her pen has done much excellent work, and she holds mem- bership in The College Endowment Association, The Daughters of 1812, and The Milwaukee Outdoor Art Association. When asked about her religion her reply was: "Religion? Creed? All creeds which establish a correspondence between God and man are glorious ; but, it seems to me that, to people who live truly, and think deeply, they are but rounds on the ladder leading to the broad platform of Truth- where they are no longer necessary-for one breathes a purer atinos- phere of love for the Savior, her God, and all humanity. I take the best of all that appeals to me as Truth and live up to it as nearly as I can." That is a broad, solid, safe, religious platform. The world would be better if more were standing upon it-or working upon it. Few women, or men, either, have done the world better service with their pens than has this retiring home-maker. Her

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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 96

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