USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volume V > Part 8
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Mr. Anspach is essentially progressive as a citizen and takes a lively interest in all the civic and material welfare of his home city. In poli- ties his attitude is independent, and his support is given to candidates and measures needing the approval of his judgment, without reference to partisan lines. Fraternally his affiliations are with Neenah Lodge No. 61 A. F. & A. M. At Weyauwega, Mr. Anspach married Miss Mat- tie Bronson. They are the parents of two children : Melvin and Marion Anspach.
GENERAL LOUIS AUER. Large of heart and large of mind, the late General Louis Auer gave to his native city of Milwaukee the best of his powers in the furtheranee of its civic and material prosperity, and his activities vitalized all with which they came in contaet. He won new prestige for a name that has been signally honored in the history of Mil- waukce from the pioneer days, and his achievements were large and defi- nite. He became the most extensive exponent of the real estate business in Milwaukee and through his large and varied operations in this connec- tion, he did much to further the upbuilding and attractiveness of the city. He was long one of the most prominent and influential figures in the
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Wisconsin National Guard, in which he advanced to the office of quar- termaster general, and he was animated by lofty patriotism and high civic ideals. By the very greatness and goodness of his nature he won the unqualified esteem of all who knew him and the affectionate regard of those who came within the immediate sphere of his influence. His circle of friends was coincident with that of his acquaintances and in the Wis- consin metropolis few citizens were better known or held in more un- qualified popular regard. The entire community manifested its sense of personal loss and bereavement when General Auer was summoned to the life eternal, on the 15th of February, 1910, and in the community which ever represented his home his name and memory shall be revered as long as there remain those who knew him or had cognizance of his genial, whole-souled, generous and unselfish character.
General Auer was born in Milwaukee on the 3d of October, 1857, and thus he was fifty-two years of age at the time when he passed from the stage of life's mortal endeavors. He was accorded excellent educational advantages in his youth and became a man of broad mental ken and well fortified opinions. Prior to entering upon details concerning his business career it may be noted that from the time when, as a young man, he became identified with the state militia, as a member of the Light Horse Squadron, until his death General Auer continued to take a most vital interest in the affairs of the Wisconsin National Guard, to the upbuilding and advancement of which he contributed much and in the affairs of which he was an honored and influential figure. In 1880, he became a member of the Light Horse Squadron, now known as Troop A of the Wisconsin National Guard, and in this gallant military body he rose to the rank of first lieutenant under Captain George Schoeffel. This command gained reputation as one of the finest volunteer cavalry organ- izations in the country, and this absolute priority was won not less through the means of competitive contests than by reason of the ad- mirable personnel of its members. In 1886, Lieutenant Auer was pro- moted to the rank of major and placed in command of the four regi- ments known as the Fourth Battalion and later incorporated in the First Wisconsin Infantry. He later became colonel of his command and he retained this rank until the election of Hon. Geo. W. Peck to the position of governor of the state, when Colonel Auer was appointed by the governor to the position of quartermaster general of the Wisconsin National Guard, an incumbency which he held until the close of Governor Peck's term, in January, 1895. After his retire- ment from office General Auer did not abate his interest in the Wis- consin National Guard, and in its history his name has a conspicuous and honored place.
As a youth General Auer initiated his active association with busi- ness affairs, by identifying himself with the real estate and insurance enterprise that had been founded by his father in 1864. In 1877 he
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was admitted to partnership in the business, under the title of Louis Auer & Son, and he was twenty years of age at the time when this al- lianee was formed. After the death of his honored father he continued the business under the original firm name noted, and concerning his active and important operations in the field of enterprise the following pertinent record has been given and is worthy of perpetuation in this connection, with but slight paraphrase :
"Through his untiring energy, wide acquaintance and popularity with all classes, General Auer built up a large and productive business. One year ago he displayed an interesting phase of his character. He caused to be erected an apartment building which has come to be known as the 'Baby Flats.' He had heard of the difficulty experienced by fam- ilies with children in securing quarters in modern apartment houses. Ile ยท determined to start a new order of things by offering his tenants a bonus, in the form of a month's rent, for every baby born in his buildings. He became famous for his attitude on the baby question and there are today in Milwaukee not a few children whose advent was a source of some pecuniary profit.
"General Auer was the most extensive real estate operator in Mil- waukee and was a valued member of the Milwaukee Real Estate Board, by which his advice could always be safely and profitably followed. In addition to all of the buildings in the block bounded by State, Four- teenth, Prairie and Fifteenth streets, General Auer was the owner of about fifty other buildings, designed for residential purposes. The Auditorium Court, which was in process of erection at the corner of Ninth and State streets at the time of his death, he expected to represent the highest fulfillment of his experience in the construc- tion of apartment buildings, and it contains one hundred and forty- five apartments, with front and rear courts and entirely without air shafts, every room having light and fresh air facilities. General Auer expected the Auditorium Court to be the last building he would construct and this it proved. Following its completion he con- templated retirement from active business. . The Stuart and Eliza- beth flats, on Fourteenth street, between State and Prairie streets, gave General Auer a reputation that far transcended the limitations of his native state and brought to him the sobriquet of 'The Baby Flat Landlord.' In these flats no expense was spared in making the floors as noiseless as possible and to provide playgrounds, courts and every other possible facility favorable for the rearing of children. In writing to one of his tenants and granting a month's rent free because of the arrival of a baby, General Auer wrote as follows: 'I should like a picture of the little one for our album, "Babies of Aner Court." Believe me. Yours for the Babies.' Persons who entered the office of General Auer with the expectation of gaining special concessions because they had no children, always found disappointment. He frequently expressed his Vol. V-5
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opposition to race suicide and this quotation was made of his statement to the effect that there should be from five to seven children in every family."
The highest estimate was placed upon General Auer in his connection with both social and public affairs, and, notwithstanding the manifold cares and exactions of business, he always found time and opportunity, especially in the days of his bachelorhood, for entertaining friends at his "shack," which he had built on the shores of Pewaukee lake and which later developed into the summer home of the family, the while it con- tinued a center of most gracious hospitality, even as has the beautiful home in Milwaukee, with Mrs. Auer as its charming and popular chate- laine. At the "shack" the General delighted to surround himself with friends and to engage in boating, sailing, fishing and other wholesome outdoor sports, of which he was especially fond, and where he was al- ways surrounded by a kennel of the best hunting dogs of various blood, having always twenty or more in his kennel. At his "shack" there was always a hearty welcome for any friend, whether he came early or late. One of General Auer's passions was hunting, a sport in which his wife was his constant companion during the last eight years of his life. His "shack" was covered on the interior with trophies of his success in the northern woods and out in the west. His collection of firearms was large and select and included weapons of use in the hunting of every sort of wild animal and game. Many were the good and wholesome stories told at the house parties at the "shack" where, with a genial company, Gen- eral Auer presided as host, indefatigable in his efforts to make each guest enjoy himself to the utmost. It was here before the big fireplace that Eugene Field, Horace Fletcher and Julian Ralph spent many a happy hour and night exchanging impossible fish stories. It was a distinctive pleasure to him that he was thus able to dispense an unlim- ited hospitality, and he was at his best on such occasions. The Milwau- kee Press Club has reason to hold General Auer high in its remem- brance, for the occasions when he insisted on the club coming out to his summer home for its annual outings. The memory of those days lingers still in the minds of those who were given the privilege of becoming the guests of General Auer under such beatific conditions.
He to whom this memoir is dedicated was insistently loyal and pub- lic-spirited, and his noble qualities of mind and heart found exemplifica- . tion in all of the relations of life. Though not animated with desire for public office he was ever willing to give ready co-operation in the support of measures and enterprises projected for the good of his home city and state and his political allegiance was accorded to the Democratic party. When the original decisive action was taken for the improving and ex- tending of the public park system of Milwaukee General Auer was ap- pointed a member of the first board of park commissioners, of which body he served for a time as secretary. the late Christian Wah, the late
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John Bentley, and Calvin E. Lewis and Charles Manegold, Jr., having been members of the board at that time. After giving seven years to earnest and effective service as a member of this department of the mu- nicipal government General Auer retired from office. He was a zealous worker in connection with every worthy civic movement and assumed many heavy responsibilities in this connection, including the organiza- tion and management of civic and industrial parades pertinent to public celebrations. He brought to bear the same vitality and enthusiasm that characterized him in business and social life, and his last appearance as marshal of a great civic and military parade was on the occasion of a notable homecoming celebration in Milwaukee. He was a citizen-soldier and a genial host. Few citizens of Milwaukee were better known, had done more for the city or were more uniformly popular than this kindly and noble man, and concerning him and his attitude the following pertinent statements have been made :
"For a quarter of a century there was not a movement of any civic importance and having for its object the advancement of Mil- waukee which he did not support heart and soul, giving his time and energy freely and gladly to promote its success. General Auer's creed was 'Milwaukee first.' He did not approve of buying outside of his native city anything that could be purchased or manufactured here. No matter what it was, he always bought it in Milwaukee rather than in Chicago or New York, and this loyal and progressive policy he urged upon others, in season and out. Though essentially liberal, General Auer preferred to dispense his charities and benevolences in a private way rather than to avoid this responsibility by giving dona- tions to institutions or organized charities. He was mindful of the poor and needy and 'Remembered those who were forgotten.' On many an occasion he left his desk at the appeal of some poor unfortu- nate, whom he aided in securing food, or work or other needed sup- port and encouragement, his heart being ever attuned to sympathy and this being manifested in a direct and practical way, without osten- tation and with no thought that he was doing other than his simple duty. By his example, advice, moral support and financial aid he did much for others, and his memory is revered by many whom he thus aided. At one time General Auer belonged to all of the repre- sentative clubs in Milwaukee but after his marriage his interests cen- tered in his home, the associations and relations of which were of the ideal order. At the time of his death he held membership in Mil- waukee Lodge, No. 46, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, The Milwaukee Press Club and the Diana Club, of Horicon. His death occurred only a few days prior to the fifteenth anniversary of his marriage, and, attended by a vast concourse of sorrowing friends, his remains were borne to their last resting place, in beautiful Calvary cemetery."
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In New York city, at 137 Fifty-fifth street, on the 26th of February, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of General Auer to Miss Jane Hola- han, a woman of culture and most gracious personality. Mrs. Auer has attained to much distinction in the theatrical profession, under the stage name of Jane Stuart, and she was playing a leading part in the company of Richard Mansfield until a short time prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of the late Hon. Maurice F. Holahan, for a number of years President of the board of Public Improvement of New York city and her veneral mother now resides with her in the attractive home in Milwaukee, Mrs. Auer having been a valued factor in the social activities of this city from the time of her mar- riage to the present. The wedding of General and Mrs. Auer was one of the brilliant affairs of the season in the national metropolis and was attended by about four hundred of the friends of the contracting parties. The gathering included prominent members of both political parties, including leading officials connected with the national, state and municipal government, members of various business exchanges, and representatives of the press, the medical, legal, theatrical and other professions. Letters of congratulation were received from Presi- dent and Mrs. Cleveland, Secretary of War Lamont, Senator Murphy of New York, and prominent members of congress. The bride received a most cordial reception in Milwaukee and the city is now endeared to her by many hallowed memories and associations. Her pleasant home is at 283 Tenth street, where she resides with her two children, Elizabeth and Stuart. The eldest son, Louis, was killed by a falling tree at their country home at the age of six and one-half years; two other children, Angela and Frank died in infancy.
HON. HENRY ALLEN COOPER. By his re-election in the November elections of 1912 as representative in congress from the First District, Henry Allen Cooper enters upon his eleventh consecutive term as a member of the national house of representatives. His twenty years of active service in Congress have been distinguished by a high order of ability and statesmanlike judgment and his record has been marked by disinterested work for the nation and for his constituents and state. Mr. Cooper is by profession a lawyer, having been a member of the Racine county bar for more than thirty years. Henry Allen Cooper, who was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, September 8, 1850, is a representative of one of the early families of this county. His father was Dr. Joel H. Cooper, of Burlington, Wisconsin. In the sketch of Dr. Cooper, to be found elsewhere in this work, are given the many inter- esting details concerning the family history during its long association with Racine county.
Mr. Cooper, who was the only son in a family of six children, enjoyed fine educational advantages and was well fitted for success,
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whether in business or in professional life. After completing his course in the high school at Burlington, he entered the Northwestern Univer- sity at Evanston, Illinois, where he was graduated in 1873. His ambi- tions having already included the law as his profession, he entered the Union College of Law at Chicago where he was graduated LL. B. in 1875. On his admission to the bar in that year until 1879, he acquired practical experience in connection with several law offices of Chicago. In the latter year he entered a partnership with the late Judge C. A. Brownson, at Burlington, where he may be said to have actually com- menced his professional career. The following year, 1880, he was elected district attorney of Racine county, and since that year his home has been in Racine. He was twice re-elected district attorney without oppo- sition. In 1884 he was a delegate to the National Republican Conven- tion in Chicago. He was elected to the state senate in 1886 and was the author of the law which first established the Australian ballot system in Wisconsin. In 1892 he came prominently before his party as its choice for the nomination for Congress, and he made a successful cam- paign was and was first elected to Congress in the general election of that year. Since that year every successive two years the First district has shown a desire to have Mr. Cooper as their representative, and his work in Congress has been so consistently in the interests of the national and local welfare that there has never been any hesitation about his re-elec- tion, even in times when the success of his party over the state at large has been doubtful. In 1908 he was a delegate at large from the state to the National Republican Convention at Chicago. During 1886-7 Mr. Cooper was a member of the Board of Education in Racine and so far as his duties as a national legislator have permitted, has actively iden- tified himself with the local welfare.
DR. I. D. STEFFEN. One of the representative citizens of Antigo and one who has taken a foremost place in the civic and social life of the city, as well as gaining prominence in his profession and in financial circles as well, is Dr. I. D. Steffen, practicing physician of this city since 1887 and vice president of the Langlade National Bank of Antigo. Dr. Stef- fen came here fresh from his studies, having been graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago in February. 1887, and so well has he pros- pered that from the beginning Antigo has held him. His connection with the Langlade National Bank began in 1901, first as a member of the directorate of the bank, and in about 1907 he was elected vice president. Prior to that, however, he had been a director and vice presi- dent of the First National Bank of Antigo, so that his connection with banks and banking is one of long standing, and he is well versed in finance and kindred subjects.
Dr. Steffen was born at Hortonville, Outagamie county, Wisconsin, on December 17, 1855, and is a son of John and Applonia (Stark) Stef-
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fen, who came to Wisconsin from New York state in the spring of 1855. They were farming people, and Dr. Steffen was raised on the home farm, attending the country schools as a boy, and then entering Lawrence University, and graduating from that institution in 1879. Following that training he taught for four years in Hortonville, Wisconsin. Dur- ing that time he was giving some attention to the study of medicine with Dr. Hardacker of Hortonville, and he was able to save enough money from his four years of teaching to put him through Rush Medical College. In 1900 Dr. Steffen took a post graduate course in surgery and medicine in the New York Post Graduate Medical School & Hospital, in New York City, and he has in other ways prosecuted his studies, keeping well abreast of the times in the advance of his profession, so that his reputation has been enhanced with every passing year.
In 1884 Dr. Steffen was married to Miss Effie L. Nye of Horton- ville, Wisconsin, and to them have been born five children, named as follows: Bernice E .; Dr. Lyman A., who was graduated in medicine from Rush Medical College on June 10, 1912, and who is now engaged in practice in Virginia, Minnesota, but who is about to relinquish his practice there and join his father in the profession in Antigo; Glyndon F .; Margaret; and Richard D. Steffen.
Dr. Steffen has performed praiseworthy service for Antigo in the mayor's chair, serving on three different occasions,-first in 1890, in 1899 and in 1900. He is a member of the Langlade County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, as well as the American Association of Railway Surgeons. He has been surgeon for the C. & N. W. Railroad for the past twenty- one years, and is a member of the staff of the Antigo Hospital. In fraternal circles he has membership in the Masons, and has served sev- eral years as Master of the Blue Lodge, and in the Chapter he is now High Priest. He is also a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is one of the prominent men of the city and with his family enjoys the high regard of the representative people of the community.
WILLIAM EIBEL. Lumber is not the only product that comes from the industrial center of Rhinelander. For a number of years the wood pulp paper manufacturing has been growing in importance in northern Wisconsin, and probably the largest single enterprise of Oneida county is the Rhinelander Paper Company, which is one of the largest and most modern paper mills in the entire state of Wisconsin. At the head of this company, in the capacity of general manager, is a young man who has been experienced and has become expert in every department of paper manufacture, and is one of the ablest men in the business.
Mr. William Eibel has been identified with the paper mill at Rhine- lander since 1904, having come here a few months after the mill was
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opened as its superintendent and two years later was promoted to his present responsible post as general manager. William Eibel was born in Macgregor, Iowa, July 15, 1873, a son of William Eibel. When he was about six years old the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the son was reared and educated. In 1892 at the age of nineteen, he was given employment by Mr. A. M. Pride, in the latter's paper mills at Tomahawk, in Lincoln county, Wisconsin, Mr. Pride had established the mill in Tomahawk in 1890, and Mr. Eibel entered in a subordinate capacity, having practically no experience in that industry at the time. He proved diligent and an ambitious employe, interested himself in every phase of the business and from one position to another he continued to work and be promoted until the master of every branch of paper man- ufacture. He continued with the mill at Tomahawk until 1894, when he moved to Rhinelander, where his serviees as manager and superinten- dent have been an important factor in making the Rhinelander paper mills one of the most profitable industries of Oneida county. The com- pany employ in the mill from two hundred and fifty to three hundred men, and the equipment of the plant is not exeelled by any of the sim- ilar mills along the Wisconsin River. The officers of the Rhinelander Paper Company are Mr. A. W. Brown, president; Mr. A. D. Daniels. vice president; and Paul Browne, secretary.
In Tomahawk, Wisconsin, in 1905, Mr. Eibel married Miss Ruby Brower. They have one son, Donald Eibel.
CLARENCE J. TESELLE. One of the coming members of the legal profession in Langlade county is undeniably Clarence J. TeSelle, dis- triet attorney for the county, and junior member of the well known law firm of Hay & TeSelle of which Henry Hay, whom Mr. TeSelle succeeded in the office mentioned, is the other and senior member. Mr. TeSelle was elected in the Autumn of 1912 on the Democratie tieket. and thus far his service has been marked by ample evidence of superior ability and a fine sense of publie duty. A resident of Antigo only since April, 1912, he had but recently located here when his nomination and election to his office eame, and the confidence that the public manifested in him, taking him at his face value, has already been justified in no uncertain terms.
Born at Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin. on August 7, 1887, Mr. TeSelle is one of the youngest, if not, indeed, the youngest district attorney serving in Wisconsin. He is a son of John and Cather- ine (Wismer) TeSelle. The father was born in Sheboygan Falls. She- boygan county, Wisconsin, as was also his father, the grandfather of the subject, who was named John TeSelle, and it is thus established that the family was among the earliest pioneer families to locate in Sheboygan county. For many years John TeSelle. father of the subject, was oceu- pied as a manufacturer of wagons, and he was a member of the director-
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