USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volume VII > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
1983
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
sentative clientage, and concerning the career of the junior member a brief review appears on other pages of this work, as has already been stated in a preceding paragraph.
Mr. Gill has considered his profession worthy of his undivided alle- giance and has had no desire to enter the turbulence of practical politics. He has an intrinsic aversion to personal publicity and while he is well fortified in his convictions and opinions concerning matters of economic and governmental polity he has maintained an independent attitude in politics and has given his support to men and measures meeting the ap- proval of his judgment. He has retained a most vital interest in his alma mater, the great University of Wisconsin, and is a loyal and en- thusiastie supporter of its athletic and other sports, besides which he maintains close affiliation with the Psi Upsilon college fraternity and the alumni association of the university. Here he has gathered together a splendid library, covering the gamut of the best in literature; here he has collected many fine works of art; and here he finds unalloyed pleasure in extending welcome and unostentatious hospitality to his many friends. Mr. Gill was married June 30, 1904, to Laura Alice Lents of Milwaukee, who likewise is a graduate of the University of Wis- consin, class 1899. They have three children, two boys and a girl.
COLONEL WILLIAM H. JACOBS. At the corner of Third, West Water and Cedar streets in Milwaukee, has recently been completed one of the most ornate and thoroughly equipped exclusive bank buildings in the state. Its title is the Second Ward Savings Bank, but it is a com- mercial as well as savings institution. Its motto is "The Bank of Per- sonal Service." The resources aggregate the magnificent sum of thir- teen million dollars. Its capital stock is one million, and deposits between eleven and twelve million. It is a great bank, with prestige, age, influ- ence, and solid integrity. It is a fine monument to the business power of the city, and it is also a monument to its founder, to the sagacious and enterprising young man who in 1855 first opened the doors of the private banking house which developed and expanded with the years and with the growth of the city, for over twenty-five years, until the able direction and management of its originator, until its position is now among the greatest banks of Wisconsin and the middle west.
The founder of the bank,, was the late Colonel William H. Jacobs. In financial and business circles he was one of the leaders of his time, but his life had numerous relations with the city, outside of those cireles. His was a gifted personality, rich in the resources of life as in the mate- rial wealth. Much that was good and uplifting in the social and civic activities of Milwaukee, forty or fifty years ago was enriched by the presence of Colonel Jacobs. The handsome bank structure already men- tioned is one form of tribute to him. It represents only one side of his
1984
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
resourceful character. He was one of Milwaukee's finest in that period which he vitalized and adorned.
Colonel William H. Jacobs was born in Brunswick, Germany, No- vember 25, 1831, the only son of Christian and Christiana (Koch) Jacobs. His father was an intelligent farmer of Brunswick. Reared and educated in his native land, William H. Jacobs came to Milwaukee in February, 1850, and began his career in a minor position in the banking house of Marshall and Ilsley.
In 1855, having progressed so far as to have the confidence of the best men of the city, he founded a private banking institution, and thus began the continuous history of the Second Ward Savings Bank. In 1866, several of the local brewers, Messrs. Best, Schlitz and Blatz, par- ticipated in the banking enterprise of Mr. Jacobs, and their united enterprise gave birth to the Second Ward Savings Bank, under its per- manent title. The late Val. Blatz was president of this concern, while Colonel Jacobs remained the actual proprietor and manager in the office of cashier. Needless to say, considering the present strength of the bank, as already noted, the enterprise was successful almost from the start, and in a short time took its place as one of the solid institutions of the city. In more than one financial crisis it stood firm, and one of the finest assets of the institution today is that it has had fifty-eight years of business experience and success. At the present time two branch banks are maintained in the city, and these branches have prospered as well as the central institutions.
Mr. Jacobs founded another bank at Cedarburg, Wisconsin, which after some years was discontinued. By wise financial operations, he achieved the distinction of having increased the original capital of the bank tenfold during his administration. He remained cashier up to the time of his death.
Colonel Jacobs was not a member of any church, but belonged to a number of clubs and societies in the city. Although always interested in politics, so far as politics meant good government, Colonel Jacobs seldom played an active role in party affairs. During the early years of his residence in Milwaukee, he served a term as clerk of the court, and in 1875 was elected state senator. He served his constituency with dignity and with ability, and it is to be regretted that his name was not longer connected with political office. After leaving the senate he was offered nominations for mayor of Milwaukee, and also for state treas- urer, but declined both honors. Besides his activity as a banker, he was prominent in starting a planing mill in the northern section of Wiscon- sin, and did a great deal toward bringing into existence and giving vital- ity to the Wisconsin Central Railroad. A station on that road in the neighborhood of Ashland, Wisconsin, bears his name.
During the Civil war Colonel Jacobs, like so many other of his coun- trymen, gave loyal service for the preservation of the Union. He be-
1985
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
came colonel of the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and showed exceptional qualities both as a soldier and strategist. He was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville, and after the battle of Gettys- burg, resigned his commission, and returned to private life. He served two years altogether, having enlisted August 16, 1862, and was honor- ably discharged in January, 1864.
All circles of society stood open to Colonel Jacobs. He was a valued member of the Turnverein and did much for this organization. He is perhaps best remembered in musical societies of the city. Gifted with a fine tenor voice of considerable power and compass, and thoroughly cultivated, he was especially in the decade before the war, one of the most prominent soloists in the concerts of the Milwaukee musical socie- ties. He also sang in opera, appearing in the title role of "Stradella," as Lionel in "Martha," as Severo in "Norma," as Max in "Frei- schutz," and as Tamino in the "Magic Flute." He also sang in some of the oratorios performed by the society, and was altogether the best tenor soloist of the organization. His voice was remarkably pure and sweet, and was used with taste and expression. The late Colonel Jacobs was a man of the people politically and socially. He was a scholar, philanthropist, and a successful business man, and in his home circle had all the attributes of a loving father and husband. During his career he made several visits back to the Fatherland, the last one being two years before his death. Another enterprise to which he gave his ability and in which he was most active in organizing was the industrial exposi- tion, and he did much to secure its location on the west side. He was one of the oldest bankers in the city, and it was unfortunate not only for his family, but for the entire community that his life was termin- ated when little past its meridian. Colonel Jacobs died September 11, 1882, at the age of fifty-one years.
On November 11, 1857, Colonel Jacobs married Miss Caroline Schmidt, in St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Jacobs, who now resides at the family home. on Terrace avenue is a sister of Charles C. Schmidt, now vice president of the Second Ward Savings Bank, concerning whose career more will be found on other pages of this work. Colonel Jacobs besides his widow, left five daughters and one son. The children are: Mrs. Eugene Luening, of Munich, Germany; Margaret, widow of the late Frank R. Falk, of Milwaukee; Mrs. Edgar H. Neyman of Milwau- kee, wife of Dr. Neyman; Miss Jacobs of Milwaukee; Mrs. Frederick Sternemann of Hamburg, Germany; Frank William Jacobs of British Columbia. A daughter Helen died some years before the death of her father. Mrs. Jacobs with her daughter, Miss Jacobs, and Mrs. Frank R. Falk all reside at 422 Terrace avenue. The children were educated in Milwaukee and in the eastern schools and also abroad. The parents of Colonel Jacobs never came to America, but the mother of Mrs. Jacobs came to this country after the death of her husband and passed
1986
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
away in Milwaukee many years ago. Colonel Jacobs had two sisters: Mrs. Adolph Neynaber of Milwaukee, who died here a number of years ago; and Mrs. Scheinkel who died in Germany.
FRANK R. FALK. A son-in-law of Colonel William II. Jacobs, and a son of the pioneer brewer, Franz Falk, the late Frank R. Falk was himself one of the most powerful directors of big business in Milwaukee. The Falk family from pioneer times to the present has probably fur- nished the greatest aggregate of personal energy, ability and leadership to Milwaukee business affairs of all the family groups in the city. Frank R. Falk in some respects was the ablest of them all. He began at the bot- tom, as a messenger in the old Second Ward Savings Bank, and his entrance to manhood introduced him to a controlling place in Milwau- kee business, a position he strengthened every year till his retirement.
Frank R. Falk was born in Milwaukee, June 25, 1854, and died at his residence in this city, April 5, 1908. Concerning his father and other members of the well known family, individual articles will be found on other pages of this history. When he was fifteen years old he found a place as messenger in the Second Ward Savings Bank, and rose rapidly in service, until at the age of twenty-one he had acquired one of the trusted places in the bank. After the death of his father, he and one of his brothers took over the management of the old Falk Brewing Com- pany, of which he became president. Later the Falk, Jung & Borchert Brewing Company was formed, and of this company Mr. Falk became president. He kept large interests in the new concern and remained active in its management for a number of years. The brewery was twice destroyed by fire, and after the second fire the entire plant was con- solidated with the Pabst Brewing Company. Mr. Falk accepted the place of treasurer in that great organization, and held the position until he finally retired from active business life in 1902.
Travel was the chief reason for his leaving business at such a com- paratively early age, and after his retirement he spent much of his time abroad. He and Mrs. Falk toured the entire world and were travelers who had the ability to enjoy and be instructed at the same time. On the last trip taken by Mr. Falk and wife, they visited Japan, and China, and many other places of the far east. The late Mr. Falk had a genial dis- position, and was popular in a large circle of social and business acquain- tance. For years his was the guiding hand in the old Falk, Jung & Borchert Brewing Company, and he had hardly a less active part in the management of the Pabst Company.
Mr. Falk belonged to the Milwaukee Club, the Milwaukee Country Club, Milwaukee Athletic Club, Milwaukee Yacht Club, Deutscher Club, Bankers' Club, Musical Society, Arion, Calumet, and half a dozen other clubs. In politics he was a Democrat, and very active in party affairs. In 1885 he ran for the office of state treasurer, and polled a
1987
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
vote far above that of the rest of his ticket, which at that time had no prospect of success in Wisconsin. The support given him all over the state was, however, a personal tribute which could not but be gratifying to him. Ilis activity in politics was especially keen during the time of Grover Cleveland, but he was never an office seeker.
Mr. Falk is survived by his wife and three brothers and one sister, all of whom belong to Milwaukee by residence, and are mentioned individ- ually elsewhere. The brothers are General Otto H. Falk, Herman W. Falk, Clarence R. Falk, and Mrs. Paul D. Carpenter. Lewis W. Falk, another brother, died in 1910. Frank R. Falk was married November 13, 1886, to Miss Margaret Jacobs, daughter of Colonel William II. Jacobs.
GEORGE BEYER, president of the Oconto National Bank and presi- dent of the Oconto City Water & Supply Company, has been a resi- dent of Oconto since 1857, at which time he came an almost peniless youth of fourteen years and owing to the death of his father had to start in earning his own livelihood and assisting in the support of his mother at a time when modern boys of that age are still in school. The factors and influences which have contributed to the suc- cess and somewhat remarkable progress of George Beyer have largely been contained within his own character and industrious habits. He earned his own way, supplied his own education, found or created his own opportunities, and used the means he had in order to get what he wanted. He is one of Wisconsin's successful men.
George Beyer was born in Germany, on October 23, 1844, a son of Christopher and Catherine Beyer. Christopher Beyer came to America and located at Oconto, Wisconsin, in 1856. After he had saved a little money he sent back to Germany for his wife and chil- dren, who arrived in Milwaukee in 1856, and the following year set- tled in Oconto. The father died in 1857, and the mother in 1859. George Beyer was thirteen years old when he came to America, and for a short time he remained at Milwaukee, and worked in a cigar factory, being employed there for one year as a tobacco stripper. When he arrived in Oconto in 1857, he found employment in the Hub- bel & Jones saw mill, and until 1862 was in the employ of W. M. Whit- comb. After the death of his father, the boy supported his mother, and at her death was left homeless and friendless. Though with very little education, he had strength, was willing to work, and applied himself vigorously to every task given him. His boyhood was one of many hardships. At one time in this period of his career he was em- ployed in a hotel at Oconto, at wages of eight dollars a month. He slept in a bare room, unwarmed and most uncomfortable in every respect, and besides that was badly treated by the landlady. A little later one of the saloon keepers of the town told the boy his father had
1988
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
left an nnpaid saloon bill. Such was the ideas of honor and respon- sibility of young Beyer that he determined to work out the alleged bill, and spent several months in the employ of the saloonman in his endeavor to square up the account. He got no money for his services, and was poorly fed and lodged at the same time. All his work went to the account, which amounted to not more than twenty dollars. Several months later when he asked his employer for seventy-five cents to buy a pair of overalls, his request was denied on the ground that the debt that had not yet been settled, and since Mr. Beyer could see no definite end to his employment in satisfying that old obligation he took this opportunity to leave the saloonman and has always had a free conscience with respect to that early self-imposed obligation.
It was after leaving the Oconto hotel at Oconto, that Mr. Beyer found employment with Mr. Whitcomb. While with that family he was allowed to attend school for half of each day, and thus got two half terms which helped supply some of the early deficiencies. Later in 1862, he entered the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College at Chi- cago, and when he returned to Oconto had the experience and equip- ment which started him upon his real career.
Ilis first employment was in the office of the county treasurer of Oconto county as assistant under Mr. Hall, and he also served as deputy county clerk and deputy register of deeds. In 1864 Mr. Beyer left his civic duties to enlist in a hundred day regiment in Company H of the Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry. He was elected second lieuten- ant, and was honorably discharged with that rank. The principal duties of his regiment were acting as guard at Memphis, Tennessee, and there was no fighting during the enlisted term. On returning from the war, Mr. Beyer found work as bookkeeper for the firm of Whitcomb & Ideson in their store, and continued thus until 1867 hav- ing charge of the business for a short time. On the death of Mr. Whitcomb the business was sold, and Mr. Beyer then turned his at- tention to lumbering beginning in a very small way, by entering a . tract of pine land and buying a small shingle mill about five miles from the mouth of the Pensaukee river. Due to the failure of his partner to live up to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Beyer met mis- fortune in this venture, and had to carry the entire burden of the in- vestment. Then occurred a slump in the price of shingles, and the entire enterprise was taken away from him, and all his other capital went to satisfy his obligations. After two years Mr. Beyer started in another line by renting a pier on the dock the city had built on Green Bay, and conducted that until the city took its management away from him. Again he was at the bottom of his resources. His next venture was in the insurance business, and he established an agency and continued with fair success until 1878.
1989
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
Mr. Beyer for many years has been active in political life of his county, and his first important office came in 1878 when he was elected county treasurer. That election, is thorough proof of the confidence felt by all the citizens in his thorough integrity and reliability, and it can be said that Mr. Beyer through all his career has never failed to live up to his obligations, whether in private or public affairs. He was reelected to the office and held it from 1879 to January, 1883. Returu- ing to private life he once more turned his attention to lumbering, and began dealing in timberlands here and there over the state, and was soon on a fair way to fortune. When the Oconto National Bank of Oconto was organized in 1886 Mr. Beyer was made president, and has since continued in that office, demonstrating his ability as a financier of no mean quality. Mr. Beyer has interested himself to some ex- tent in real estate in Oconto county, and owns valuable property in different quarters of the city, and the state. He was at one time owner of the Hotel Beyer, but has since sold that house. It is also a notable fact and one of which he is somewhat proud that he afterwards owned the identical hotel building in Oconto where he was once a poor boy employed at eight dollars a month. In addition to his other bank- ing interests and activities, Mr. Beyer is also one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank of Oconto, established there in December, 1911, and one of the flourishing new financial institutions of the county.
Mr. Beyer was married in 1873 to Fannie Page, who came to Oconto from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Beyer are the parents of one child, Mildred, wife of Frank Lingelbach, the well known Oconto citizen, whose career is briefly sketched elsewhere in this work. Mr. Beyer is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is at the present writing exalted ruler of the Oconto Elks, and has held that office for the past ten years. He is one of the genial whole-souled men of the town whose circle of friends is a wide and ever widening one, and as a citizen of merit and worth, his place in the community is second to none.
JOHN F. SULLIVAN. To our peaceful and industrious neighbors on the north of us, the Canadians, Wisconsin is indebted for many of her prosperous, progressive and loyal citizens, and John F. Sullivan, of Hurley, as is well known, is no exception to this rule. A resident of this city for more than a quarter of a century, during which time he has built up a large business in the line of jewelry and drugs, he has so conducted his affairs and directed his activities to contribute materially to the public welfare, thus earning the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens in his adopted community. Mr. Sullivan was born March 31, 1862, in Fredericton, Canada, and is a son of John and Katherine (Owens) Sullivan. His father, a native of County Cork, Ireland, lost his life at Vol. VII-16
1990
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
the age of thirty-three years, when the heavy limb of a tree fell upon him while he was engaged in lumbering. He had been brought as a lad to America by his parents, and had been connected with the lumber business from young manhood. His wife, a native of Ireland, passed away when sixty-seven years of age, having been the mother of eight children, of whom four are still living, John F. being the third in order of birth.
John F. Sullivan received his education in the schools of Frederic- ton, but it was necessary that he contribute to the family support, and as a youth he gave up his studies to begin his battle with the world. He first came to Wisconsin in 1881. In 1882 he came to the Iron Range in Wisconsin, on a prospecting trip, and in 1885 located in Hurley, where he engaged in the jewelry business, later combining it with a drug business. He has continued to conduct these two enterprises with well-deserved success, and is justly considered one of his town's leading business men. Among his associates he is known as a man of the high- est integrity, with a sincere regard for business ethics, while his cus- tomers know him as a merchant who has endeavored to supply them with the highest quality of goods at reasonable prices. His success is due entirely to his own efforts and his advance has been commensurate with his labors. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Sullivan became a member of the town board in 1885, served thereon for some years, and was its chairman for one term. He also served one term as sheriff of Iron county, being appointed to that office by Governor Peck, and the first to hold the position, was a member of the school board for nine years, and acted as a member of the board of supervisors for several years. He is an active promoter of all interests calculated to benefit his county or town, and has championed movements making for good citizenship and education.
Mr. Sullivan was married February 14, 1898, to Miss Ida E. Reible, who was born in Minnesota. To this union there have been born two sons : John F., Jr., and Willis G. During his long residence in Hurley, Mr. Sullivan has gained a wide circle of acquaintances, and both he and his wife number many warm friends in the town, where their home is a center of refinement, culture and hospitality.
FRED C. TOMLINSON. When the commission form of government was established in Superior, those who had been active in securing its adop- tion set about to find men to fill the new offices who could be relied upon to best represent the interests of the people and to fulfill the promises that had been made for the new style of municipal representation. Believing that this could best be accomplished by men whose experience in business would enable them to realize the city's needs, a number of candidates of recognized commercial standing were placed in the field, and among the successful nominees was Fred C. Tomlinson, who had
1991
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
for twenty years been identified with the lumber interests of Superior. The capable manner in which Mr. Tomlinson has performed the duties of his new office has proved the wisdom of the course adopted, and has given him acknowledged prestige among the officials who are making this one of the best-governed cities in the state.
Fred C. Tomlinson was born May 13, 1869, in Monroe county, New York, and is a son of Fred B. and Katherine (Shulters) Tomlinson. His father, also a native of the Empire State, followed farming in Mon- roe county until 1882, when he removed to Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, and there continued to till the soil until his death in 1888, when seventy years of age. His first wife passed away when she was thirty-five years old, having been the mother of four children, of whom Fred C. was the youngest. Mr. Tomlinson married for his second wife Elmyra Southworth, by whom he had two children. Mr. Tomlinson was a stalwart Republican.
Fred C. Tomlinson received his education in the public schools of Plymouth and Detroit, Michigan, and until he was twenty-two years of age remained on the homestead, assisting his father in the agricultural work. In 1892 he came to Superior and connected himself with a lum- ber concern, continuing therewith until the year 1912. He early inter- ested himself in Republican politics, and in 1903 was elected alderman from the Fifth ward, and was re-elected to that office several times, having served four and one-half terms when he resigned, in the spring of 1912, to accept the position of city commissioner. He has fully and faithfully met every obligation depending upon him, thus thoroughly vindicating the confidence of the people in his ability and trustworthi- ness. His fraternal connections are with the Modern Woodmen of America and Superior Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he has also held various offices in the Woodmen of the World and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.