USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volumr VI > Part 24
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Mr. Fry is interested in several manufacturing and business enter- prises of Milwaukee, and is prominent in the social and civic life of the city. His chief recreation is fishing. He is also a member of the Milwaukee Automobile Club, the Illinois Athletic Club of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Athletic Club. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias in Chicago. Mr. Fry is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, having served with the troops in Porto Rico and in the signal corps of the American army. . In Masonry he has taken the degrees including the thirty-second and is affiliated with Ashlar Lodge No. 308, A. F. & A. M., at Chicago; Wisconsin Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., Milwaukee; Ivanhoe Commandery No. 24, K. T., Milwaukee; Wis- consin Council No. 4, R. & S. M., Milwaukee; Oriental Consistory of Chicago and the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Chicago.
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Mr. Fry was married in Milwaukee, to Miss Clara Marie Thomp- son, who was born at Winchester, Adams county, Ohio, a daughter of Nathan Thompson. Her mother died in Winchester, where her father, who was for some years a resident of Milwaukee, now lives. The latter was a lieutenant in an Ohio infantry regiment during the Civil war. Mrs. Fry received her education in Milwaukee. She is a member of the Baptist church, and the residence is at 262 Thirty- fourth street.
THE OLD LINE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, MILWAUKEE, Wis. In considering the subject of life insurance, few people, if indeed any, pause to reflect upon the origin and source of the present complex system of insurance that has become a vital part of the present day social and business system. It is therefore of interest in this connection to refer to the article which Rupert F. Fry, president of the company whose name heads this review, prepared for a leading insurance pub- lication, and from which a portion is here quoted verbatim: "It dates back many years to the time when John Doe suggested to his neighbor, Frank Webster, that it would be a good plan for them to make an ar- rangement to protect their respective families against the total loss of their money making ability. An arrangement was therefore made, so the story goes, whereby in the event of Doe's premature death, Webster agreed to provide for Doe's family, and vice versa. A little later a neighbor heard of this arrangement and asked to be permitted to join. Finally one of the contracting parties died, and his family was not de- pendent. Then others sought admission, and finally nearly all the fam- ilies in the community were provided for under this crude plan. About this time it was found necessary to employ a secretary, manager, etc., to look after the affairs of this so-called association and what later de- veloped into a gigantic business."
"This," says Mr. Fry, "is one of the old and simple explanations of the origin of life insurance. To go back a little farther, the neigh- bor who originally devised and suggested the plan, probably got his idea from the old bible story,-the dream which Joseph interpreted for the Pharaoh as a prophecy of seven years of plenty and seven years of famine." In this article Mr. Fry very ably sets forth many other facts relating to the subject of life insurance in the present day and age, from which further mention may be made, but the full context may not be incorporated here owing to lack of space.
The growing appreciation of old line life insurance on the part of the public is an established fact, and one that renders comparatively easy the business of the solicitor of new insurance. It is true that a remarkable change has come about in this phase of the work in the last half century. The lack of knowledge on the part of the public concerning this great subject, combined with their skepticism, made it
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a trying thing to convince a man of the advisability of insuring his life. Today it would be almost impossible,-certainly difficult,-to find a man of average intelligenee who could consistently express a doubt as to the financial stability of any well managed company that might be mentioned. Today it is not a question of convincing a man that the obligation will be met upon his death, or at whatever time his policy may stipulate, but rather is it a matter of convincing him of the dangers of delay, and that now is the time for him to take action. So much for the evolution of the popular idea upon this great subject.
The Old Line Life Insurance Company of America of Milwaukee is founded and chartered according to the most modern provisions of Wisconsin laws. Its charter was granted and its organization effected in 1910. In capital and surplus it was one of the largest companies in the United States at the very inception of its career. It is the larg- est life, accident and health insurance company organized under Wis- consin's laws, and the largest stock life insurance company organized under the laws of this state. With assets of more than a million dollars, it has been steadily climbing to a front rank among America's leading insurance companies.
The Old Line Life Insurance Company of America, Milwaukee. Wisconsin, is a strictly proprietary company, and its stock form of organization furnishes a guarantee of conservative and economical management. Though the company has never offered anything but strictly business forms of insurance contract and has retained all the best features of the oldest conservative companies, it has, neverthe- less, evolved policy forms more liberal in benefits to the holders than any other single old-line company. The Old Line Life Insurance Com- pany of America has always carefully distinguished what is feasible from the Utopian in insurance, and its literature and policies deal only with guarantees, but at the same time its officers have been able to perfeet many special features which appeal strongly to the average person seeking insurance. A detailed explanation of these features in non-technieal language cannot be attempted here, but in a general way it may be stated that they are designed, in so far as good business will justify, to eliminate many of the strict literal provisions of insur- anee contracts, so that the policy holder of good intentions, but the vietim of misfortune, shall not suffer from the strict construction of his contract. There is a total disability benefit, through which the company keeps up the premiums during the period of disability ; also there are provisions for liberal days of grace for the payment of the premiums ; liberal cash surrender values; ineontestibility after policy is in force one year; reinstatement of policy after its lapse; absence of familiar restrictions upon occupation, residence or travel, including
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military service, besides various other features that appeal to all classes of people seeking insurance.
The officers and directors of The Old Line Life Insurance Company of America comprise many of the best known business men of Milwau- kee and the state, and the entire organization speaks for stability and integrity.
The present officers of the company are as follows: Rupert F. Fry, president, concerning whom detailed mention is made in a sketch de- voted to his life and work, to be found on other pages of this publica- tion ; William A. Starke, vice-president; F. X. Bodden, second vice- president ; John E. Reilly, secretary and treasurer; F. J. Tharinger, assistant secretary ; F. B. Golley, M. D., medical director; and Law- rence A. Olwell, general counsel. The members of its board of direct- ors are : M. L. Bunnell, county judge of Manston, Wisconsin ; Frank J. Kipp, vice-president of the Wadhams Oil Company of Milwaukee; A. J. Mayer, treasurer of the Mayer Boot & Shoe Company, Milwau- kee; F. X. Bodden, assistant cashier Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Milwau- kee; M. H. Raymond, banker of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Thomas H. Rice, secretary and treasurer, Bay View Steel Casting Company. Mil- waukee; William A. Starke, president Lake Michigan Dredge & Dock Company, Milwaukee; Rupert F. Fry, of Milwaukee; W. C. Stone, banker of Watertown, Wisconsin; Frank J. Lauerman, president Lauerman Brothers, Marinette, Wisconsin; Patrick Noud, president State Lumber Company, Manistee, Michigan; A. F. Manegold, vice- president Wauwatosa Stone Company, of Milwaukee; J. L. Bostwick of J. L. Bostwick & Sons Department Store, Janesville, Wisconsin ; Adam Gettelman, president of the Gettelman Brewing Company, and president West Side Bank of Milwaukee; and Thomas J. Pringle, sec- retary and manager Milwaukee Casket Company.
With such an official personnel as the above, it is needless to say that further comment upon the management of The Old Line Life Insurance Company of America is wholly unnecessary, this list being one that will speak for itself in the state of Wisconsin, and wherever these men are known, either as private citizens or in their business capacities.
JOSEPH WOLTER. It requires exceptional ability to rise from a position as a wage-earning workman to such a place as Joseph Wolter now commands in the business activities of Sturgeon Bay. Mr. Wolter belongs to the well known firm of Rieboldt, Wolter & Company, whose shipyards and floating dry-dock are the biggest industrial enterprise of the city. Mr. Wolter is also president of the Wisconsin Dredge & Dock Company at Sheboygan, a banker, and his standing in the com- munity is well indicated by his incumbency of his office of the mayor of the city of Sturgeon Bay for the past eight years.
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Joseph Wolter was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 17, 1857, a son of William and Catherine Wolter, both natives of Germany, but married in Milwaukee. The father died in that city in 1907, but the mother about 1888. William Wolter was likewise a shipbuilder, and for many years was employed by the Wolf & Davidson Company of Milwaukee. The children of the parents were: Mary, who still keeps up the old home at Milwaukee; Joseph; Charles, deceased; and Anna, Mrs. Peter Jones of Milwaukee.
The youth of Joseph Wolter was spent in Milwaukee. An important incident of his early years was his attendance in the Catholic parochial school, but after the fundamentals of education had been acquired he soon found a place where he could contribute to his own support in the shipbuilding yards of Wolf & Davidson. Once engaged in that line of industry he has never for any length of time departed from it. Learn- ing the trade of shipwright, he was advanced step by step, until he be- came foreman with Wolf & Davidson, when still a comparatively young man. In 1885, he and a fellow workman, August Rieboldt, went to Sheboygan and established a shipyard for themselves. A short time later they started the construction in their yards of the "Helena" which for a time was the largest boat sailing the great lakes. Those familiar with lake shipping will recall a great many boats that have come out of the Rieboldt & Wolter yards, and some of the most prominent of these are mentioned as follows : "Marion," the "John Schroeder," the "E. A. Shores," and many tugs and smaller crafts. Their firm also built three wooden boats, used by the fire department at Milwaukee. In 1896, Rieboldt & Walter moved their floating docks to Sturgeon Bay, and there established complete facilities for ship building. Their in- dustry, giving employment to from fifty to two hundred men has the largest payroll among the various industries of Sturgeon Bay, and for seventeen years the business has contributed a large proportion of Sturgeon Bay's industrial prosperity. In the summer of 1913 the fifty-fifth large boat was being constructed in the yards, and in the meantime they have completed many thousands of dollars worth of repairing and rebuilding. Since 1890, the partners have been engaged in dredging operations continuously.
In 1890 the Wisconsin Dredge and Dock Company was incorporated, its fifty thousand dollars of capital all being paid in and Mr. Wolter became president, C. A. Reiss, secretary and treasurer. The head- quarters of this company are at Sheboygan. The company have sev- eral dredges, and pile drivers and have performed many large con- tracts in various quarters of the great lakes.
Besides his interest in the Wisconsin Dredge & Dock Company, and the Rieboldt & Wolter Company, Mr. Wolter has various connections with other enterprises. He is vice president of the Bank of Sturgeon Bay.
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Ile is one of the men who have undertaken successfully to show the possibilities of fruit growing in this part of Wisconsin, and with Mr. Rieboldt and Henry Fetzer, is joint proprietor of an eighty-acre orchard at the edge of Sturgeon Bay, known as the Big Creek Orchard Company.
Perhaps nothing indicates Mr. Wolter's character and attainments better than his continued retention in the office of mayor of Sturgeon Bay. He was first elected to that office in 1905. Although a Democrat, and living in a strongly Republican community, he has defeated his various opponents, usually two to one, and at one time at one election three to one. He and his family are members of the St. Joseph's Cath- olie church, and he is financial secretary of the Catholic Knights of Wis- consin. He is also a member of the Twenty Club of Sturgeon Bay, an exclusive social organization of the city.
In May, 1879, Mr. Wolter married Regina Sery, who died in May, 1888, leaving three children as follows: Agnes; Charles H., who by his marriage to Emma Thomas, has one child, Alfred; and Joseph G. In September, 1889, Mr. Wolter married Agnes Ferger. The children of this union are : Catherine, Eleanor, William, Regina, Cecelia, Aurelia, Genevieve and Henry.
A. J. KREITZER, M. D. In practice at Sturgeon Bay since 1896, Dr. Kreitzer is in point of continuous activity the oldest physician of the city. He is successful in his profession, a man of exceptional attain- ments, widely known and respected as a citizen, and has an intimate part in local business affairs, being president of the Bank of Sawyer. A. J. Kreitzer was born in Germany, in the Province of West Prussia, March 15, 1858. About the time A. J. Kreitzer passed his ninth birth- day the family left the fatherland, and after a voyage of seven weeks, a sailing vessel landed them at Montreal, Canada. From Montreal they proceeded to Detroit, and thence to Milwaukee. After a brief stay in the Wisconsin metropolis, they found a permanent home at Port Wash- ington, where Dr. Kreitzer grew up and finished his education begun originally in the schools of Germany. His first regular vocation was that of teaching, having obtained a certificate of qualification for that profession soon after leaving the public schools. For eleven years Dr. Kreitzer was in the practical work of education in Ozaukee county, and during four years of that time was superintendent of schools. In the meantime he had definitely determined upon medicine as his vocation, and after spending one year in reading at Port Washington under the preceptorship of Dr. Eli Smith, now deceased, he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. with the class of 1896. In the same year he located at Sturgeon Bay, and has ever since been a resident of that portion of Sturgeon Bay known as Sawyer, at one time an independent municipality, but now
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the Fourth Ward of the larger city. Dr. Kreitzer is a member of the Fox River Valley Medical Society.
Ever since locating in Sturgeon Bay, Dr. Kreitzer has taken an active part both in business and public affairs. For four years he was a member of the school board, and two years of that time was spent as president. He has also served as president of the Door & Kewaune County Training School Board. In 1911 Dr. Kreitzer was the nominee of the Progressive party for the office of State Senator. When the Bank of Sawyer was organized, Dr. Kreitzer was among the men who contributed their personal resources and their business experience to the establishment of that institution, and has been its president ever since. Dr. Kreitzer is also a stockholder in the Idlewild Inn, a popular summer resort on Green Bay. He is also identified with other local affairs.
On November 4, 1882, Dr. Kreitzer married Miss Mary Jane Ander- son, of Port Washington. Their family of children are named as fol- lows: Adelia ; Ellen, Mrs. E. V. Clark; Nellie; and Gusta. Dr. and Mrs. Kreitzer are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
EUGENE C. HART. No history of Wisconsin would be in any way complete were not frequent and extended mention made of the men who control its maritime traffic, which during the past several decades has been developed in a marvelous degree. From earliest boyhood, Eugene C. Hart, president of the Hart Transportation Company, of Sturgeon Bay, has been connected with water transportation ; and as the directing head of the prominent concern which bears his name is widely known among vessel-men of the Great Lakes. He was born at Oconto, Oconto county, Wisconsin, December 7, 1880, and is a son of the late Capt. Clifford B. and Harriet E. (St. Ores) Hart.
Edwin Hart, the grandfather of Eugene C. Hart, was one of the pioneers of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was an early contractor, and built the old stone lighthouse at Long-Tail Point, for many years one of the land-marks of Green Bay. He also studied law, was admitted to the bar, and carried on a successful practice both at Green Bay and Oconto. He died at the home of a daughter at Menominee, Wisconsin, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Oconto. Clifford B. Hart was born at Green Bay, and there grew up, securing his education in the public schools, although it is likely that he paid more attention to the water and its navigation than he did to the text-books or his teachers. With a lad's love of adventure and an inherent affection for things nautical, he eagerly sought opportunity on every possible occasion to make vessel trips of any nature, and when he was only twelve years old became the owner of a small boat which he used in carrying baggage between Oconto and Green Bay. When he was sixteen years of age he was the proud possessor of a schooner, and soon he became known
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at the different points along the coast, and gradually extended his operations by adding a number of tugs to his equipment. Out of this developed what was known as the Hart Steamboat Line, traveling from Green Bay, to which point Captain Hart had removed from Oconto, and at one time he had five boats running between Green Bay and the "Soo." During the winter of 1905, he sold out to the Green Bay Transportation Company, intending to retire from active business, but in the spring, when the ice cleared away, he could not resist the call of the water, and, accordingly, he came to Sturgeon Bay, where he was the owner of dock property, and started the Hart Transporta- tion Company, having at that time just one steamer, the "Sailor Boy." The company was incorporated in the fall of 1906, with Clifford B. Hart as president, Mrs. C. B. Hart as vice-president and Eugene C. Hart, secretary and treasurer. The vessels now include the "Bon Ami" and the "Thistle," and trips are made between Escanaba and Sturgeon Bay, carrying both passengers and freight and making connections with all lake points. The firm also deals extensively in all grades of coal. Mr. Hart continued actively connected with the business until the time of his death, which occurred March 19, 1913. A self-made man in the fullest sense of the title, his character was one which was admirably adapted to his chosen calling. Fearless in his courage, of uncompromising honesty and integrity, he won respect and admiration from his associates and employes alike. His experiences were of varied and interesting character, and his vocation brought him into contact with all kinds and conditions of men. Those in his employ knew him as a rigid disciplinarian, yet he was ever just, and while malcontents met with a rigid front, those who were faithful in their performance of duty found him a friend and protector. He was a Mason of high standing, having taken the thirty-second degree at Milwaukee, and also held membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His widow still survives him and makes her home with her son at Sturgeon Bay. They had but two children : Lewis, who died as a child of four years; and Eugene C.
Eugene Clifford Hart spent the first five years of his life in Oconto, and the family then moved to, Green Bay, where he grew to maturity. He was given good educational advantages, attending the public schools and the business college in that city, and upon the completion of his course in the latter institution became purser on one of his father's boats. He subsequently entered the offices and after some experience as bookkeeper was made secretary and treasurer of the Hart Steam- boat Line, a position he continued to hold until the business was sold. In 1905 he came to Sturgeon Bay, and with his father laid the founda- tion for the Hart Transportation Company, upon the incorporation of which he was made secretary and treasurer of the company. At the time of his father's death he succeeded the elder man in the presidency.
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Inheriting many of his father's sterling qualities of character, as well as his business ability, he has been able to maintain the firm's high reputation in shipping circles and to secure for his vessels a full share of the business carried on upon the lakes. Like his father, he has been interested in fraternal matters, being a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Sturgeon Bay, and also holding mem- bership in the Knights of Pythias. He belongs likewise to the Twenty Club, and has many friends in all of these organizations.
On March 22, 1904, Mr. Hart was married to Miss Rubie Irene Rob- bins, of Green Bay, and to this union there have come two children : Harold E. and Marion Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Hart reside in a pleasant home on Sherman street and are general favorites in social circles of Sturgeon Bay.
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WILLIAM E. WAGENER. Associated intimately with the professional, business and civic interests of Sturgeon Bay, William E. Wagener, city attorney and president of the Door County Land Company, is ac- counted one of the prominent figures of the younger generation in the life and activities of his community. He has contributed to the growth and material advancement of his city in various ways, and may be said to be representative of the enthusiastic and energetic young men of this part of the Badger State who are making their section one of the most prosperous in the Union. Mr. Wagener is a native of Sturgeon Bay, and was born October 25, 1882, a son of Arnold and Isabelle (Terrens) Wagener.
Arnold Wagener was born in Germany, and was a child when he left the Fatherland with his parents, the family emigrating to the United States and locating at Mishicott, in Manitowoc county, Wiscon- sin. There the youth grew up, obtaining an ordinary education in the district schools, but his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war, and when he was but seventeen years of age he left home and shouldered a musket in defense of his adopted flag. Enlisting in Company A, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with other youths from Mishicott, he saw three years of active and arduous sery- ice, his engagements including the battle of Gettysburg and other sanguine struggles. He was twice wounded, and his entire military record was characterized by the utmost bravery and devotion to duty. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Wagener went to the West, and there spent several months at the hazardous occupation of driving a supply wagon across the plains, succeeding which he re- turned to Wisconsin and entered the employ of the Schlitz Brewing Company, at Milwaukee. He came to Sturgeon Bay about the year 1873 and in this village, then in its infancy he established himself in' business with a brother as the proprietor of a brewery, and this grew to be one of the leading enterprises of its kind in Door county, Mr. Vol. VI-14
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Wagener developing into a man of prominence and means. He was widely known in political matters of this section, gave his support un- falteringly to the Democratic party, and at various times was honored by election to public office, serving as alderman and postmaster of Sturgeon Bay and as sheriff of Door county. His public service was marked by the same faithfulness and courage that had won him the regard of his comrades in the army and the services he rendered his community placed him among the helpful men of his day. Standing high among the Germans of Sturgeon Bay, he was a leading member of the Sons of Hermann, and was connected with that organization at the time of his death, which occurred July 17, 1902. Mr. Wagener was married in 1873 to Miss Isabelle Terrens, who survives him and still makes her home in Sturgeon Bay, and the children born to this union were as follows: Dr. Hubert, a successful druggist of Sturgeon Bay, who is at present serving in the capacity of highway commissioner of Door county ; Anna; Arnold; William E., of this review; Walter, and Lionel.
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