Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - The whole text, 1909 (part 23 of 35)

John M. Romadka, deceased, late of 1129 State street. Milwaukee, was one of the prominent and successful business men of the city, and head of the Romadka Brothers Company, manufacturers of trunks and traveling bags, up to the time of his death. He was born in the town of Seltschan, Bohemia, on May 16, 1837, the son of Ericslaus and Mary (Hashek) Romadka, both of whom were also natives of Bohemia. His father was a tanner by trade, and came with his family to the United States in the year 1855, first going to Cincinnati, Ohio, and shortly afterward coming to Milwaukee, Wis. John M. was educated in the schools of his native town, and also in Vienna, Austria. When he arrived in Milwaukee with his parents he was only eighteen years of age. With two of his brothers he started the Romadka Brothers Trunk Store and Factory, at No. 391 Broadway, and from a comparatively small beginning, by sheer force of native ability and remarkable foresight, he built up the present large business of Romadka Brothers Company. Under his able and shrewd management the business grew by leaps and bounds, and it developed into one of the most important industries of the kind in the United States. In addition to its large manufacturing business, the firm conducted an extensive and profitable retail business. The business has always remained in the Romadka family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the city of Milwaukee. Though John M. was the active head of their great business until his death, on Jan. 2, 1898, other members of the family are still conducting the same with success. Mr. Romadka found time amid the cares and responsibilities of business to interest himself in many works of a public nature, and he was known as one of the most liberal and public-spirited citizens of Milwaukee. He was also a man of broad culture, with a mind stored with knowledge gained from extensive reading and travel. He was especially fond of traveling, and was able to indulge himself freely in that respect. While he took an intelligent and keen interest in all public affairs, he was never a seeker after public preferment on his own behalf. He was a firm believer in the great underlying principles of the Democratic party, of which he was a lifelong adherent, without being a narrow partisan. He contributed liberally of his ample means toward many worthy charities and municipal enterprises, and could always be counted upon to favor every worthy undertaking. He was a sincere Catholic in his religious belief and a zealous attendant on the Church of the Gesu, of which he was one of the most liberal and consistent supporters. Mr. Romadka was married on Jan. 18, 1881. to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Laurence and Mary (Baxter) Clark, well-known and highly respected residents of Milwaukee. Their union was blessed with four children: Catherine, Helen, Mary and John, all of whom, together with the widow, are now living. Mr. Romadka's death took place in the city, to whose material advancement he had contributed in so many ways, where his life affords an example of what energy, strict business honesty, and high moral principles may attain, and his remains now rest in Calvary cemetery.

George J. Nichols, deceased, late of Milwaukee, Wis., where he was a popular and well-known railway engineer, wras born at Dummer, Coos county, N. H., on Aug. 28, 1846, the son of Jonathan and Fanny (Hager) Nichols, both of whom were also natives of New Hampshire. Jonathan was a railroad employe in the service of the Grand Trunk up to the time of his death. He reared a large family of ten children, of whom George J. was the ninth child. The parents lived their whole lives and are now bmried in the Granite State. Our subject attended the public schools of his native village, and when only nineteen years of age he came west to Tanesville, Wis., where he entered the service of the -Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. He was a remarkably industrious, sober, and efficient employe, and was soon given charge of an engine. He removed to Milwaukee in 1880, continued with the road as a railway engineer, and was deemed one of its most trusted and careful employes. He finally met his death in his hazardous calling in a wreck at Kaukauna, Wis., Aug. 17, 1900. He had been with the road nearly forty years and his death was sincerely deplored, the road losing a valuable and highly trained employe, and the family mourning the unfortunate taking off of a kind and indulgent father and husband. Mr. Nichols was allied politically with the Republican party, but was contented to do his duty as a private citizen, and never sought or held a public office. His church affiliations were with the Westminister Presbyterian church, of Milwaukee, of which he was an attendant. Mr. Nichols was a popular member of the Knights of Pythias fraternal organization and also belonged to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. The esteem in which he was held by his brother engineers is attested by the fact that the lodge at Fond du Lac, Wis., is named in his honor. He was married on Aug. 28, 1867, to Miss Helen Glover, of Horicon, Wis., a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Taggart) Glover, prominent residents of that section of the state. Mrs. Nichols' parents were "both natives of the Empire State, her father being a native of Byron, N. Y., and her mother having been born in the village of Bennington, N. Y. They came west to Wisconsin during the pioneer days of the territory, in 1843, and settled at Horicon. Here Mr. Glover made entry on a quarter-section of government land, to which he subsequently added another quarter-section by purchase. He became one of the most prosperous farmers in that locality and died there on April 19, 1872, at the advanced age of eightythree years ; his wife had previously died on Aug. 8, 1862, at the age of fifty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were the parents of six children, the eldest of whom, Edna, is the widow of Frederick T. Dawe, deceased, specific mention of whom follows; Minnie, now deceased ; George A., deceased ; Guy G., who has followed his father's profession and is a railway engineer with the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company ; Grace, who lives at home with the mother at 558 Farwell avenue, and Fannie, who is a graduate nurse of the Lakeside Hospital and lives in Milwaukee. Frederick T. Dawe, deceased, late member of the firm of Dawe Brothers Printing Company, 116 Michigan street, Milwaukee, who married Edna Nichols, was born in this city on Aug. 25, 1873. He was the second oldest of the four children of Robert Dawe, an English- man who was one of the early pioneers of Milwaukee, and who served the city for many years as engineer at the waterworks station. Both parents have been dead for many years. Frederick T. received his education in the public schools of Milwaukee, and then learned the printer's trade. The Dawe Brothers Printing- Company was one of the reliable printing and engraving firms of the city and did an extensive and profitable business. The firm is still in operation under the name of the Hammersmith Engraving Company, located in the McGeogh building on Michgan street. Mr. Dawe went west in the year of 1902 in the effort to recuperate his failing health, but again returned to Milwaukee, where his death took place on April 2, 1907. He was identified with the Republican party politically, but was never an aspirant for public office. He was a sincere and earnest Christian, and a devoted member of the Westminister Presbyterian church, of which Rev. Everett A. Cutler is the pastor. He took an active interest in all the beneficent labors of his church, and was long known as one of its most zealous workers. He was a deacon in the Westminster church, taught one of its Sunday school classes, and was the first superintendent of the branch organization known as the Westminster Mission. Mr. Dawe was essentially a homeloving man, devoted to his wife and children, and was a member of none of the fraternal societies, clubs, or professional associations, with the exception of the Typographical Union of Milwaukee, of which he was an influential member. Mr. Dawe was united in marriage on Nov. 1, 1900, to Miss Edna, daughter of George J. and Helen (Glover) Nichols, of Milwaukee. Two sons, Oliver and Willard, were the fruit of this union, both of whom are living with their widowed mother in the home at 558 Farwell avenue.

Frank A. Cady, deceased, a prominent lawyer and member of the legislature from Wood county, Wis., whose widow now resides at No. 176 Eighteenth street, Milwaukee, was born in the town of Newport, Columbia county, Wis., Dec. 31, 1858. His parents, Charles A. and Helen (Blood) Cady, were both natives of the Empire State, and are now living at Kilbourn City, Wis. Our subject was their only child. Charles A. was a prosperous and influential farmer of Adams and Columbia counties, and settled in Wisconsin at an early day. While a resident of Dell Prairie, Adams county, he represented his district in the lower house of the state legislature for three terms, in 1873, 1874, and 1879. Frank A. was educated in the public schools at Kilbourn, and later attended the law school of the University of Wisconsin, graduating therein with the class of 1883. He entered the practice of his profession the same year at Marshfield, Wis., and remained there in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice for nearly twenty years. He was subsequently located for nearly two years at Grand Rapids, the county seat of Wood county. Mr. Cady was made an honorary member of Company A, Second Wisconsin infantry, in grateful recognition of the unselfish services ren- dered by him to the organization during the Spanish-American war. After the regiment had departed for the South several of its members became very ill, and Mr. Cady went down and spent several weeks with the boys at Chattanooga and Charleston, spending a considerable sum of his own money, and extending to them all the aid and comfort in his power. He did this from purely patriotic and altruistic motives, and with no thought of any advantage to himself. He w^as an ardent Republican in politics and prominent in the councils of his party in his section of the state. He was twice elected as a member of the assembly to represent his district, from Marshfield, Wood county, Wisconsin, the first time in 1901 and the second time in 1903. He was still serving his second term in the legislature at the time of his death. He had gone to Hot Springs, Ark., for the benefit of his health, and died there on March 30, 1904. His remains now rest in the cemetery at Kilbourn, Wis. He was a remarkably well-informed and widely-read man, and took a lively interest in public affairs. He was an excellent conversationalist, a pleasant and affable companion, and had a host of warm friends and admirers. He was a member of the following fraternal orders : The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons ; and the Knights of Pythias. He was united in marriage on June 18, 1901, to Miss Anna L., daughter of Charles and -Sarah (McNamara) Cavanaugh, of Forest, Ontario Province, Canada. The widow now makes her home in Milwaukee. Their only son, Emil C, resides with his mother, is a graduate of St. John's Military Academy, Delafield, Wis., and is now a student in the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Cady's father was born in the seaport town of Wicklow, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States when he was only fourteen years of age. He first settled in New York state, where he met and married his wife, a native of that state. After a residence in Canada extending over a number of years, he returned to the United State and is now living the life of a retired farmer at Hudson, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh are the parents of eight children.

Edwin Walter Enos, formerly a prominent business man of Milwaukee, was born in this city on April 20, 1840, the son of Solomon Calkins and Sylvia Enos, the former a native of Rutland, Jefferson county, N. Y., and the latter a native of the same state. The father was born on April 1, 181 7, and was the youngest and last survivor of a family of seven children. When he was but four years of age his parents removed from Rutland to Champion, in the same county, and subsequently to Ox Bow, thence after two or three years to Watertown. At the age of eleven years he entered the printing department of the Democratic-Standard, the proprietors of which were T. A. and A. L. Smith, and in the three years in which he remained he thoroughly mastered the trade. I le then went to Sacket Harbor, and for a year and a half was employed on the Courier, until it ceased publication. Impaired health made it advisable for him to find some out-of-door work, and he determined to become a sailor on the great lakes, following that work in the summer and his vocation in the winter months. The first vessel upon which he sailed was the Eliza, Captain Potts commanding', from Belleville, Canada, and later he shipped on the United States, the America, the Lucinda, and the Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1837 he came up the lakes on the Pennsylvania, and landing at Milwaukee assisted in fitting out the Solomon Juneau, upon which he sailed the balance of the season. In the fall of that }^ear he secured employment of Daniel H. Richards in the office of the Daily Advertiser, and in the summer of 1838 entered 160 acres of land under the homestead law in the town of Granville. Upon this property he erected a log cabin and lived there for a time in order to fulfill the law under which claims were made. In December, 1839, he went to Madison and was employed as foreman in the office of the Madison Express until after the adjournment of the legislature. Upon his return to Milwaukee he purchased a two-thirds interest in the Milwaukee Advertiser and continued to publish that paper until 1841. Again in that year his health failed and upon the advice of his physician he disposed of his city interests and removed to his farm in the town of Granville and engaged in agricultural pursuits. With the exception of a year and a half, when he served in the army, he followed this calling until 1886, and then removed to the city. In 1862 he was employed by the authorities in enrolling those subject to the draft for the army. Although he was forty-seven years of age Mr. Enos considered his country's call imperative, and despite the fact that his age exempted him from the draft he enlisted as a private in Company A of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin infantry, on March 10, 1864, and was honorably discharged on July 26, 1865, after the cessation of hostilities. With his regiment he participated in the engagements on the Weldon railroad in Virginia, from Aug. 19 to 22, 1864; Ream's Station, Aug. 25, 1864; Poplar Springs Church, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27 and 28, 1864; Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865; and Petersburg, April 2, 1865. After peace had been declared he participated with the regiment in the grand review at Washington on May 24, 1865. He became a member of E. B. Wolcott Post, No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, by transfer from Cutler Post, No. 55, of the Department of Wisconsin, and for many years was senior member of the first-named post. While a resident of the town of Granville he was justice of the peace from 1844 until the time of his enlistment, in 1864. His death occurred on July 23, 1904. Edward Walter Enos, the subject of this review, was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee and subsequently followed the vocation of a school teacher for some years. Pie then gave up his professional work and embarked in the bakery business at the corner of Second street and Grand avenue, owning his own establishment. Although politically affiliated with the Republican party he was never an office seeker. He attended the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church while a resident of Milwaukee. Some years ago he removed to California and now makes that state his home. On May 2$, 1866, Mr. Enos was united in marriage to Miss Tama E. Parish, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hubbard) Parish, of Milwaukee. Their son, George L., resides in Milwaukee and is associated with the Robert A. Johnston Company. Mrs. Enos makes her home at 103 Twentieth street. Her father was a native of New York state, where he was born and reared on a farm. He came west to Wisconsin at a very early day, locating on a farm in Ozaukee county, and died there in the year 1845. Her mother, who was a native of Jefferson county, N. Y., came to Milwaukee with her husband. She continued to reside here with her brother from 1862 until her death on Jan. 4, 1897, at the hale old age of eighty-one years.

Carl Vogt Peters, deceased, one of the prominent insurance and business men of Milwaukee, was born in the grand duchy of Mecklenburg, Germany, on April 20, 1850, being one of a family of five brothers and sisters. His father was a professor in a German gymnasium. Our subject received an excellent education in the schools of his native land, served the prescribed time in the armies of the Fatherland, and was also one of the veternas of the Franco- Prussian war of 1870-71. After severing his connection with the army, Mr. Peters went to Australia and was there engaged in business pursuits for a number of years. He then returned to his native land, at which time his marriage took place, and a short time afterward he came to the United States. He first located in the city of Philadelphia, and moved to Milwaukee in the year 1894. He here held the responsible position of manager for the Germania Life Insurance Company, of New York. He was a keen, energetic, and successful business man, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and regarded as one of the best insurance men that ever came to Milwaukee. He was engaged in life insurance work most of the time for thirty years and met with success in this line, in South Africa, South America, Australia, Great Britain, continental Europe, Canada, and the United States. He was of fine personal presence, genial and affable in manner, a fine conversationalist, and possessed a host of warm friends. He died in the fifty-first year of his life, Sept. 21, 1900, and left surviving him his wife and five young daughters. Mr. Peters was most happily married on Jan. 13, 1889, to Miss Elizabeth Dittbender, daughter of August and Eliza (Kunow) Dittbender, a prominent family of Stettin, Germany. Their five charming daughters, Charlotte, Marguerite, Elsie, Clara, and Paula, make their home with their widowed mother at No. 272 Ogden avenue, Milwaukee. Mr. Peters was a member and an earnest and liberal supporter of the German Lutheran denomination. He was a popular clubman and belonged to both the Deutscher and the Calumet clubs.

Captain John Coyne, deceased, late of the city of Milwaukee, was born in Ireland on May 25, 1830, the son of Thomas and Hanora Coyne, natives of that country. His parents came to the

United States with their family in 1836, going first to Vermont and later to Detroit, Mich., and shortly afterward coming on to Milwaukee, where they arrived in the same year. Captain Coyne was one of a large family of twelve children, and received a good public school education in the schools of Milwaukee. When a young man he followed the sea for a space of about seven years, and sailed from London to both the East and West Indies. He then returned to Milwaukee and later became a captain on the Great Lakes. He was a sailor practically his whole life, only retiring a few years before his death, which took place at Milwaukee, on March 20, 1898. He was a man of rather reserved and retiring disposition, but among his intimates entered into conversation freely, and possessed a most interesting fund of anecdote and information, gathered from the experience of a more than commonly varied life. His mind, too, was well stored with useful knowledge gleaned from extensive reading, as he was very fond of his books. In politics he adhered to the Democratic party, but was never an aspirant for public office. He was a faithful Catholic in his religious convictions, and an attendant on St. Patricks' church, corner of Washington and Second streets. He was united in marriage on Jan. 9, 1865, to Miss Hanna Mannix, a native of the state of Massachusetts, and of their four children - Katherine, Mary, Thomas, and William - the first-named alone survives, and she is a bookkeeper, making her home at the Coyne Flats on Fourteenth street, with her widowed mother.

Herman Thierbach, deceased, was born in Saxony, Germany, June 12, 1844. He was the son of Frederick and Caroline (Dable) Thierbach, both born in Germany. The father was a weaver and owned a large factory. He came to Milwaukee in 1846, on retiring from business, and died in 1847. In the family there were five children, viz : August, Amelia, Gustave, Marie, and Herman, the subject of this sketch, he being the youngest. The whole family came to America together and settled in Milwaukee in 1846. Herman was educated at the German-English Academy. He first engaged as a barber in the Newhall House, later changing his place of business to Grand avenue and Second street. He continued in business until a year and a half before his death, which occurred on Oct. 10, 1903. On March 5, 1864, he married Miss Carrie, daughter of Henry and Julia (Albright) Miller, and to them were born two children : Ida Julia, wife of J. W. Myers, who is in the shoe business; and Albert Henry, who is city cashier for the Blatz Brewing Company. Mr. Thierbach was a Democrat in politics and in religion an Episcopalian. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was a loving father, devoted to his family and happy in their midst. Mrs. Thierbach's parents were also born in Germany and came to the LTnited States in 1846. The father was a confectioner by trade and conducted a large establishment of this kind on East Water street until 1861. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted and was chosen captain of a company of Wisconsin infantry. He served his adopted country with distinction until Jan. 31, 1863, when he succumbed to lung fever. He was a brave soldier, a worthy citizen, and a kind father. His devoted wife survived him as a widow for thirty-five years and died on Nov. 29, 1898.

Charles F. Rauser, president and senior member of the wholesale firm of Rauser, Leavens & Kissinger, is one of the successful and popular business men of the Cream City. He is a native of Milwaukee, and was born of German parents on April 24, 1863. His father came to America as a young man and located in Milwaukee, where he lived, and was married. In 1861 the father entered the employ of Goll & Frank and was with them as shipping clerk for thirty-eight years. Mr. Rauser died in 1898, leaving four children, two boys and two girls, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third child. Charles F. Rauser was educated at St. Joseph's and St. Gall's parochial schools and began to work for the Goll & Frank Company when only fourteen years of age, as porter. He was ambitious, was faithful to his duty, a conscientious worker, and was rapidly advanced by the firm from one position of trust to another. He had started at the bottom and learned the business most thoroughly, and when twenty-three years old, having held nearly every position of honor in the company, he was sent to New York as the buyer for the firm. In 1902, after serving the Frank & Goll Company for nearly twenty-five years Mr. Rauser became the founder and senior member of the firm of Rauser, Leavens & Kissinger, wholesale underwear, hosiery and shirts. The members of the new firm had all been empolyes of the Goll & Frank Company, and their aggregate services amounted to fifty-four years. They are all experienced men in the line they represent and conduct one of the largest concerns in the Middle West. Their specialties are underwear, hosiery and shirts and the store at 352 Broadway has a rapidly increasing business. Owing to the increase in business they have leased a new store for a long term of years at 343-345 Broadway, which has a floor space of 30,000 square feet. When they started in 1902 they occupied a store of only 4,000 square feet of floor space. They are up-to-date and progressive, thoroughly understand the demands of the business, and are the leaders in their line in Milwaukee. On May 31, 1887, Mr. Rauser was united in marriage with Miss Marie Julia Tietz, the daughter of Frank and Catherine Tietz, of Milwaukee. Mr. Tietz was born in Austria and served in the army of the Emperor for twelve years as colonel before coming to the United States. He settled in Milwaukee in 1866 and was one of the pioneer tailors, which business he engaged in until his death in 1906. Mrs. Rauser's mother still makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law in Milwaukee. Three children have come to gladden the home of Mr. Rauser: Charles F., Jr., who is in business with his father; Irwin F., a student of Marquette College; and Baby Marguerite. The family are devout members of the Gesu Roman Catholic church. Mr. Rauser is independent in politics, exercising his right of franchise by voting for the principle and the best man for the place, rather than be bound by party rule. He is a Knight of Columbus and a member of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association. Mr. Rauser has recently purchased a new house at 2828 State street.

Sidney Orren Neff, deceased, a prominent figure for many years in the marine circles of Milwaukee, was born at Oshkosh, Wis., on Oct. 2, 1863, a son of Samuel and Marcelia (Ellenwood) Neff. Samuel Neff was born in New Lisbon, N. Y., on March 31, 1842, and the mother in Peru, N. Y., on April 19, 1844. The father came west in 1855 and located in Oshkosh, where the family continued to reside until 1887, and then at Appleton about one year, when they moved to Milwaukee. The father was a vessel captain on the great lakes for many years, and the year that he brought his family to Milwaukee the firm of Samuel Neff & Sons, vessel owners, was inaugurated. The mother died on Dec. 15, 1899, and the father passed away on Feb. 21, 1904. He was a prominent Mason, having reached the thirty-second degree of that order, and he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At his death he left two sons, Sidney O., and Charles S. Sidney O. Neff obtained his primary educational advantages in the public schools of Oshkosh, and when he had completed the courses offered there he studied for a time at a business college in the same city. While he was still a youth he started life as a sailor on one of his father's vessels, and before he attained his majority was acting captain on one of the boats. Upon the reorganization of the business, following his father's death in 1904, he was made the manager of the company, the position which his father had filled. In 1905 he and his brother, Charles S., determined to divide their interests, each brother taking half of the equipment, and from that time until his death, which occurred on Dec. 17, 1907, Sidney O. Neff conducted a large and prosperous business under his own name. His capacity as a business man was recognized throughout the community, and for some years he was a director of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bank. Politically Mr. Neff was a Republican, but while he was anxious to do all in his power for the welfare of the party, he was never a candidate for any office of public trust. In religious matters he was a staunch believer in the principles of the Congregational faith and an earnest worker in the church of that society. Fraternally he was also prominent, being a Mason of the thirtysecond degree, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a member and director of the Lumber Carrier's Association. On Dec. 30, 1891, Mr. Neff was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Jane Olcott, a daughter of John D. and Mary Ann (Armstrong) Olcott, of Oshkosh. Mr. Olcott was a native of Essex county and his wife of Genesee county, N. Y. He was a farmer by vocation, who came west about 1845 and located in Milwaukee for a year, but later went to Oshkosh to engage in agricultural pursuits. For a time he was the proprietor of the old American House at Milwaukee, his father also having conducted a hotel at Oshkosh during the early period. His demise occurred on Dec. 20, 1904, and his widow died on July 4, 1906. Three sons : Samuel O., John Byron, and Lucius Sidney, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Neff. They all reside with their mother.

Nicholas A. Diderrich, one of the prosperous farmers of North Milwaukee, was born on the farm where he now lives, Sept. 3, 1862, the son of John N. and Margaretha (Gengler) Diderrich, both natives of Germany. The father, who was born in 1832, came to the United States in i860, and shortly afterward settled on eighty acres of partly cleared land in section eleven, of the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, Wis. He worked hard, clearing and improving the place, and afterward added to his holdings by securing thirty-nine acres more in section eleven, eighty acres in section five, as well as a number of other farms. He was a staunch Democrat in politics and held a number of local offices during his life. He was a faithful Catholic all his life, and was justly esteemed and respected by all his neighbors, by whom he was regarded as one of the substantial and successful farmers of the locality. His death occurred at home on July 3, 1891. Our subjec's mother came to the United States from Germany with her parents, Adam and Catherine Gengler, in the year 1843. Her father located on 160 acres of wild land in section nine, town of Granville, Milwaukee county, Wis., and was a farmer all his life. Nicholas A. Diderrich is the oldest surviving member of a family of thirteen children, of whom six are still living, to-wit: Nicholas A.; Barbara; Jacob, a farmer in the town of Granville; Susanna; Annie, and Mary Jane. Nicholas A. received a good common school education, and resided at home with his parents until 1883. Ever since 1885 he has owned the old place where he was born, and where he now lives, consisting of 153 acres of land, practically all cleared and finely improved. It is one of the finest farms in this section of the state and produces excellent crops of corn, oats, wheat, and other grain and forage plants, and Mr. Diderrich also does an extensive dairy farming business. His political views have always been of an independent character, and he is known as an independent voter. He has for some years taken a keen and active interest in politics, and has been honored with a number of local offices; served as justice of the peace from 1892 to 1908, has been treasurer of the school board for a period of twelve years, etc. He was born and bred in the Catholic faith, and is a faithful son of the church. Mr. Diderrich has been married twice : first to Miss Catharine Thill, of Ozaukee county, Wis., who died on Sept. 22, 1897; second, to Miss Annie Kemp, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., on Feb. 5, 1901. He is the father of six children, whose names are as follows: Lucy, Margaret, Alois, Raymond, and Stella. Our subject is one of the most popular and highly respected members of the community in which he lives, has a large number of warm friends, and is rated as a highly successful farmer.

Gottlob Bossert, secretary of the Pfister & Vogel Leather Company, was born at Tubingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, on May 20, 1826. He attended the public schools until he was fourteen years of age, studying French, Latin, German, arithmetic, reading, and writing, beside which he had special instruction in English. In 1840 he began his apprenticeship in the mercantile business in the establishment conducted by his father and an uncle, and in Fbruary, 1843, obtained a situation in a wholesale house at Mannheim, first as assistant entry clerk and subsequently as assistant bookkeeper. The serious illness of his father recalled him to Tubingen in October, 1845, and subsequently the death of that parent, on May 18, 1846, necessitated his remaining there until September, 1848. When he left it was with the intention of migrating to the United States, but upon arriving at Bremen he found a situation awaiting him as bookkeeper, and he accepted it. In October, 185 1, he was again recalled to Tubingen for the purpose of disposing of some affairs connected with the father's and uncle's partnership. Mr. Bossert anticipated that when matters were straightened out the uncle would retire from active participation in business and would turn over to his son and Mr. Bossert the management of the mercantile house. The uncle, however, finally determined, after the business had been inventoried and arranged preparatory to a transfer, not to withdraw, and Mr. Bossert made up his mind not to longer put off his journey to the United States. During his residence in Bremen he had made the acquaintance of parties who cheerfully gave him letters of recommendation and introduction to firms in New York and elsewhere, and with these he left in Bremen on Aug. 20, 1852, on the barque "Hermine," Captain Rasche commanding. The voyage was made without mishap and he landed in New York harbor on Sept. 24, 1852, just thirty-five days out from Bremen. He found employment as assistant bookkeeper in a French exporting and importing house, the firm being Firmin Consinery & Company, of 28 South Williams street. The business of the house was with England, France, the Orient, Smyrna, South America, and Buenos Ayres. While the connection with the concern helped him in a great many ways, especially in the knowledge of American institutions and business methods, it offered no promise of further advancement and he determined to seek the opportunities offered further west. Accordingly, in September, 1856, he severed his connection with the firm and left for Buffalo, N. Y. Remaining there but a short time, he continued westward to Ann Arbor, Mich. ; and thence to Chicago. After a stay of short duration in the latter city, he came on to Milwaukee, arriving early in the year 1857, and found employment with Guido Pfister and Frederick Vogel. This was the beginning of his business career in Milwaukee. Early in i860 Mr. Bossert was the recipient of an offer to enter a partnership with John Rudolphy in the wholesale drug business in New York, and he accepted, leaving Milwaukee on the first of May. The financial depression just prior to the breaking out of hostilities between the North and the South crippled New York commerce, and Mr. Bossert's business did not prove as successful as anticipated. He had remained in friendly correspondence with Mr. Pfister during his absence from Milwaukee, and when the proposition was made to him to return to Milwaukee and again enter Mr. Pfister's employ he determined to accept, and on May i, 1862, left New York for Milwaukee. In 1S72 the 1'fister & Vogel Company was organized, and Mr. Bossert became a member of the corporation and secretary of the company. In 1878 the number of directors was increased from three to five, Fred Vogel, Jr., and Charles F. Pfister being added to the board. After the death of Guido Pfister, in February, 1889, and of Mr. Vogel, in October, 1892, August H. Vogel and A. C. Helmholz became directors. During all these years Mr. Bossert has retained his connection with the firm as secretary and director. Since Air. Bossert's first arrival in Milwaukee he has visited his native land three times. His first trip was made in 1866, when he had a pleasant visit with his mother, all his sisters and' their husbands, a brother, and an aunt on the paternal side, all of whom were then living. The second trip was made in 1868, in company with his daughter, Anna, and the last in the fall and winter of 1892 and 1893, accompanied by his wife, his son Henry, and his daughters, Anna and Charlotte. The return from the last voyage was made by way of Genoa, in April, 1893. On June 5, 1857, was celebrated Mr. Bossert's marriage to Miss Anna Maier, of Ann Arbor, Mich. To this union were born eight children: Wilhelmina, Clara, Anna, Fritz, Philip, Hugo, Henry, and Charlotte. Mr. Bossert, although well advanced in years, possesses the vigor of a much younger man, and is a striking example of that type of sturdy, German-American pioneers, who have figured so conspicuously in the development of the great Northwest. Frank Seemann, the owner and manager of one of the largest and most popular grocery houses in the Cream City, is a German by birth, born at Laurenceburg, Jan. 18, 1850, the son of Chris and Mary (Odie) Seemann, who were born in Germany in 1808 and 1810, respectively. The mother's family were tillers of the soil in Germany, never immigrating to America. They lived in the mother country all their days and passed peacefully away when eighty-five and eighty-six years of age, having passed more than the alloted three-score years and ten. Mr. Seemann's parents wre also farmers in the Fatherland, where they resided all their lives. Frank received the benefits of a practical education in the public schools of his native land, and at an early age began to work on a farm. Like so many young Germans, he heard of the many opportunities offered to young men in America and determined to seek his fortune in the new world. When only eighteen years of age he bade good-bye to home and kindred and sailed for the United States. After landing he came west, and in 1868 worked on a farm owned by a Mr. Garlick, near Davenport, Iowa. Two years later, after learning the English language, he began to work for the Rock Island railroad system with a construction crew at Monmouth, 111. At different times he was in Arkansas and Tennessee. In 1871 Mr. Seemann came to Milwaukee and entered the employ of the E. P. Allis Foundry Company, on Clinton street, as a molder. After spending three years at this vocation Mr. Seemann was employed at the coal docks on the Milwaukee water front. In 1884 he began to buy cattle in Milwaukee county and remained in the business for two years, when he embarked in the grocery line at his present site, 1473-79 Green Bay avenue. Mr. Seemann has built up a large and substantial business by his fair dealing, catering' to his customer's desires, and a determination to please. He is now recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the city, and he has a host of friends who rely on his sound judgment and good business sense. He is affiliated with the Republican party and is also a member of the Retail Grocers' Association. On Dec. 9, 1875, Mr. Seemann was married to Minnie, the daughter of John and Lizette (Banckene) Henkil, both wellknown residents of Milwaukee, who are living, both at the advanced age of eighty-five. Twelve children have been welcomed in the Seeman home, where there is always plenty and to spare : John, deceased ; Mary, the wife of Ernst Fisher, who works for Mr. Seemann; George, deceased; Helen, who assists in her father's store ; Minnie, the wife of Herman Strange, a gardener ; Ida, deceased ; Ella, the wife of W. J. Schietinger, a druggist at Fortieth and Clybourn streets ; Clara and Frankie, clerks in the Seemann store; Emma, deceased; Walter, deceased; and Erwin, deceased. The family are members of the Trinity Evangelical church at the corner of Fourth and Lee streets.

Fred Winkel. - Success in the Twentieth century, this great cycle of progress, is more often a matter of sound judgment and experience than of genius, and those we regard as the successful men usually rise gradually, overcoming great difficulties, and by energy, self-reliance, and honesty, reach the goal to which they aspire. Fred Winkel, the subject of this brief sketch, is a self-made man and owes his present position to himself alone. He is a native of the Cream City, born Feb. 26, 1859, the son of Frederick and Fredericka (Krueger) Winkel, who were born in Germany in 1834 and 1832, respectively. The father came to America when comparatively young and located in Milwaukee. When this country was rent asunder by the strife of civil war Mr. Winkel responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment. He served in many of the severe engagements during the war; was under Sherman in the South, and was honorably mustered out of the service at the close of hostilities in 1865. After returning to Milwaukee he secured employment with Mabbett & Foster in their lumber yards at the corner of River street and Junior avenue, working there from 1865 to 1878, when be was engaged at the Union Cemetery and held a position there for several years. He was summoned by the Angel of Death in 1904. Mrs. Winkel was the daughter of a farmer in Germany, and after her marriage with Mr. Winkel reared a family of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. She was laid to rest in 1901. Fred received the elements of a practical education in the district schools of the town of Milwaukee, and also attended St. John's parochial schools, as he was reared in the Lutheran faith. When fifteen years of age, in 1874, he began to work in a furniture factory owned by J. Jenkins, and located on River street. Two years later he became an apprentice under George Hoffman to learn the brick mason's trade, but did not remain long, as he engaged in farming in Logan county, 111., in 1877, and continued in that occupation for nearly two years. Upon his return to Milwaukee Mr. Winkel obtained a position in the Pierce lumber yards at the foot of Eighteenth street for one year. In 1880 he began work for the Milwaukee Milling Company, manufacturing flour, but three years later was offered a more lucrative position at the New Era Mills, also a flour mill, located at the foot of Washington street, and accepted it. For one year he worked as a carpenter, in 1885 returned to the milling business, was for a time one of the employes of the Empire Mills, and he also worked for the John B. A. Kern Milling Company. Mr. Winkel knew all branches of the manufacture of flour, and from 1886 to 1890 was engaged with the Duluth Roller Mills at the foot of South Water street. In the latter year he determined to go into business for himself, and embarked as a grocer at the northwest corner of Twenty-third and Hadley streets. In 1900 his trade had increased so that he was forced to obtain larger quarters, and he moved to his present location at 1100 Twenty-third street. Mr. Winkel is one of the most prosperous business men in the Cream City, and is assisted in business by his sons. They have built up a fine trade, and are meeting with a just reward in their endeavors to please their customers and give every man a square deal. Mr. Winkler is actively iterested in politics and is one of the most loyal supporters of the Republican party. He is ever interested in the welfare of the community, and has had the honor to represent the Twentieth ward as alderman from 1896 to 1900. Mr. Winkel's wife was formerly Miss Matilda Freudenberg, the daughter of Martin and Eva (Baumgartner) Freudenberg, well-known residents of Milwaukee, who passed away at the ages of sixty-eight and thirty-eight, respectively. Mr. Winkel was married on Sept. 16, 1882, and he is the proud father of five children: Arthur, deceased; Alfred, a student in the medical department of Marquette College ; Erwin E., Olive, and Frederick. Mrs. Winkel is the youngest of a family of six children. Her father was a carpenter contractor who came to Milwaukee about 1845, and there he engaged in the contracting business. He was the original owner of the property at the corner of Fifth street and Grand avenue, and for several years was supervisor and school trustee of the town of Milwaukee.

Jacob Baurenfeind, a successful and honored citizen of Milwaukee county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 19, 1846, the son of John and Catherine Baurenfeind, both of whom were born and reared in the Fatherland. The parents came to this country with the tide of sturdy Germans who poured into Wisconsin about the middle of the Nineteenth century and took up homesteads in the nearly unbroken wilderness of the new state. Mr. Baurenfeind received his scholastic training in the district school near his home, and after leaving school engaged in farming. Within a short time he bought a farm of his own, which he has since successfully conducted and where he still resides. Mr. Baurenfeind is staunchly arrayed as a supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in which organization he is an active worker. He takes a great interest in local affairs. Like his ancestors for generations, he is a communicant of the Lutheran church. On March 6, 1871, Mr. Baurenfeind was united in marriage with Miss Christina Kenneth, the daughter of Henry and Johanna Kenneth, both of whom were natives of Germany. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baurenfeind, and they were reared and educated at the hospitable farm belonging to their parents : Henry, who is a farmer ; Annie, now Mrs. Hassel ; Flora, now Mrs. Hassel ; Ella, Robert, and Malinda.

Frank F. Dehling is numbered among the progressive farmers of Milwaukee county, where he maintains his home. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in the town of Granville, Milwaukee county, May 2, 1882, the son of Andrew and Mary Dehling, natives of the same place. Mr. Dehling was reared to manhood on his father's farm and received his eduactional discipline at the Mequon public schools for eight years. After leaving school he engaged in farming and now owns his father's homestead, which he has greatly improved, and where he has introduced many of the modern methods of farming, and to-day he is one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of the town. He is a Republican in politics, and while he has never aspired to hold office, always takes an active interest in its policies. On May 21, 1895, Mr. Dehling was united in marriage with Miss Verkoa Lutke, the daughter of Max and Lena Lutke, residents of Meqron. Wis. One child has lately come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dehling: Elvera, who is less than a year old. The family are members of the Lutheran church, of which their ancestors have been communicants for generations.

William C. Neilson is one of the old and highly-esteemed residents of the town of Granville, where he was born on Sept. 18, 1869, the son of Cornelius and Margaret Neilson, both natives of Canada who immigrated to the United States and took up land in Milwaukee county at an early day. William, the subject of this sketch, received his elementary education in the public schools of the district and the Milwaukee high school, finishing with a course at a business college. After completing his studies Mr. Neilson entered the medical publishing business, being for over ten years manager and publisher of the Milwaukee Medical Journal, the oldest medical journal in Wisconsin. Reared on a farm, Mr. Neilson always looked forward to the time when he could again be in the country, the master of his own time and the owner of a farm. This he has realized, locating on one of the best farms in the town of Granville four years ago. Mr. Neilson is an educated farmer, a graduate of the Farmers' short course of the University, a member of the Wisconsin Experiment Association, and is introducing- all the practical modern methods and theories on his farm, and he finds that they pay. In policies he supports the Republican party, and with his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. On Nov. 25, 1897, Mr. Neilson was united in marriage with Harriet, the daughter of Capt. C. M. and Elizabeth (Mosher) Davis, of Milwaukee. Three children have been made welcome in the Neilson home: Dorothy, William and Stanley.

Alfred G. Schultz, prominent in Milwaukee financial and commercial circles as the cashier of the Germania National Bank, was born in the Cream City on July 30, 1865, a son of Daniel and Charlotte (King) Schultz. The father was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, and the mother was born in Black Rock, N. Y. Mr. Schultz received the educational training afforded by the public schools of Milwaukee, and when but eighteen years of age, in 1883, entered the Merchants' Exchange Bank in a clerical position. He served in this capacity for a period of ten years, and then was promoted to the assistant cashiership of the West Side branch at Third and Chestnut streets, later the West Side Bank. While serving in the latter position his influence and sound business judgment became known, and when the Germania National Bank was in the process of organization in the early part of 1903 he was chosen cashier. This institution opened its doors on July 1, 1903, and the large and successful business which it has been doing can be deservedly accredited to the ability and acumen of its cashier. Mr. Schultz is absorbed in business, but finds leisure to devote to the Deutscher Club and the Milwaukee Musical Society, which are his only diversions from the routine of duty. In September, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Busjaeger, a daughter of Albert and Fredericka (Salzmann) Busjaeger, of Milwaukee. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children : Armin D., now thirteen years of age ; and Alfred F., now in his tenth year.

Sylvester Sykes, deceased, was a member of Wolcott Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Milwaukee, Wis., which city had been the place of his residence since in September, 1884. He was born at Brothertown, Calumet county (then known as Manchester), Wis., May 23, 1843, son 01 Arnold and Hannah (Walker) Sykes, natives of Utica, Oneida county, N. Y. The parents removed to Wisconsin in 1836, the present progressive state then being a territory, and they located on a farm in what is now Calumet county. There the mother died in 1873 an<3 the father in 1875. Sylvester Sykes was reared on the farm, attending the country district schools during the winter months, and in 1861, when less than eighteen years old, he attempted to enlist in a company of volunteers which Colonel Hobart was raising at Chilton for the Fourth Wisconsin infantry, but he wras rejected. Several times afterward he made unsuccessful attempts to enter the military service, and finally, on Oct. 16, 1861, he enlisted in a company being raised by Capt. W. Woods and went with others to Milwau- kee. The embryo soldiers went into camp at Camp Washburn, and Mr. Sykes was assigned to Company A of the Second Wisconsin cavalry, which company was the second from Wisconsin to enter the barracks. The regiment was mustered into the United States service by Captain Trowbridge of the regular army. It left the state on March 24, 1862, for St. Louis, over the Chicago & Northwestern railway, by way of Mattoon, 111. Reaching St. Louis it was quartered at Benton Barracks, where it was equipped and mounted. It was ordered to Springfield in May, and the subject of this review participated in all the service of his company during the ensuing two years. In May, 1865, the regiment joined Custer's cavalry force and did guard duty on the Texas border. Soon thereafter Mr. Sykes was detailed as clerk at General Sheridan's headquarters, that officer having come with his laurels from the Shenandoah Valley to command the Military Division of the Gulf, with headquarters at New Orleans, and our subject served in the aforementioned position until after peace had been declared, and he was mustered out of the service at Madison, Wis., Dec. 15, 1865. Soon after returning home he located in Fond du Lac, where he remained three years, in the employ successively of General Hamilton and Anderson Merriman, in shingle mills. On Oct. 8, 1868, he entered the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company as freight brakeman, and continued uninterruptedly in the employ of that company until his death on Sept. 1, 1908. His employment at railroad work covered a period of forty 3rears, and in that time he served in the different capacities of freight brakeman, freight conductor, train-master, and passenger conductor. He was married in 1873 to Elizabeth Bermingham, of Juneau, Wis., a daughter of Garrett Bermingham, and to the union have been born five children. Annie, the eldest, is the wife of A. T. Richter, D. D. S., of Milwaukee ; Mayme is the wife of Harry Ludington, of Wainvatosa, Wis. ; Charlotte is the wife of Walter H. Heideman, of Milwaukee ; George R. is a freight conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad; and Frank B. is in school. Aside from his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, which is mentioned in the beginning of this review, Captain Sykes was affiliated with the Masonic order as follows : Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, Free and Accepted Masons ; Calumet Chapter, No. 76, Roval Arch Masons : Ivanhoe Commandery, No. 24, Knights Templar, having been Past Commander of the latter ; Milwaukee Chapter, No. 2, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was Past Worthy Patron ; and he was Past Chief Conductor of Milwaukee Division, No. 46, Order of Railway Conductors, at the time of his death.

Sherburn Sanborn, retired, is a respected citizen of Milwaukee with a residence at 3210 Grand avenue. He is a native of New Hampshire, having been born at Bath, Grafton county, on Sept. 15. 1834. His parents were Martin L. Sanborn, born in New Hampshire in 1803, and Emeline S. (Smith) Sanborn, born in the same state in 181 1. He comes of a line of patriots, his grandfather on the maternal side, James Smith, having served in the Continental army during the War of the Revolution. Paternally he is descended in a direect line from Lieut. John Sanborn, who was one of the settlers in New Hampshire in 1632. Mr. Sanborn received his eduactional advantages in the schools of his native state. He came to Milwaukee in 1854 to accept a position as a clerk. Five years later he became associated with the American Express Company, with whom he remained until 1862. In that year he went into the general office of the old Chicago & Milwaukee railroad, which in 1866 became a part of the Chicago & Northwestern system. He retained his connection with the last-named road until 1902, being promoted from one position to another until in the last ten years of his service he served as general superintendent and assistant general manager of the entire system. His retirement was caused by his having reached the age limit, and he is now enjoying a well-earned respite after years of active service. In politics he allies himself with the Cleveland Democratic party, but has never sought public office. His fraternal associations are with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is a communicant of the Presbyterian church. In 1870 Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage to Miss Eliza V. Cary, a daughter of Hon. John W. Cary, of Milwaukee. To this union were born two daughters, Mabel and Jessie.

Herman Wahl Falk, prominent in commercial and manufacturing circles throughout the state and city, was born in Milwaukee on Nov. 29, 1867. He is a son of Franz and Louise (Wahl) Falk, both of whom were born in Germany, the former on Aug. 10, 1824, and the latter on Aug. 3, 1833. The father when a youth had learned the vocation of cooper from his father. As an outgrowth of the close relations of the brewing industry with the trade of cooper the father determined when he had attained his majority to become a brewer, and he found employment in an establishment in Miltenberg, his native town. By the time he had reached the age of twenty-four years he had mastered all the details of the industry, and he left his home to seek larger fields. In June, 1848, he landed in New York and made his way from there to Cincinnati, where for three months he found employment in his vocation. In October of the same year he came to Milwaukee and for six months was in the employe of August Krug. He then accepted an offer to become superintendent of the Melms* brewery, and for seven years was retained in that capacity, contributing much to the success of the establishment by his thorough knowledge of the vocation and his strict economy. At the end of the period above mentioned he had accumulated a sufficient competence to enable him to form a partnership with Frederick Goes, and together they conducted the Bavarian brewery under the firm name of Goes & Falk, until 1866, when Mr. Falk purchased the entire interest. From that time on the firm was known as the Franz Falk Brewing Company until, in 1889, it was consolidated with the Jung & Borchert Brewing Company, the whole becoming known as the Falk, Jung & Borchert Brewing Company. In 1892 the latter company was absorbed by the Pabst Brewing Company. The father passed away in 1882 after a long and useful career. Herman W. Falk, the subject of this review, received his educational advantages in the Milwaukee public schools and at Allen's Academy in Chicago. In 1889, before the consolidation with the Jung & Borchert Company, he became associated with the Franz Falk Brewing Company and remained with it until the Pabst company absorbed the combined interests in 1892. A year later Mr. Falk started in business for himself, and in 1895 he organized the Falk Manufacturing Company. This name was later changed to The Falk Company, under which title it is to-day doing a large and prosperous business. The output of the concern is a high class of machinery and railroad materials, and the market extends over the entire continent. Mr. Falk has been president of the company ever since its inception, and its prosperity is in large measure due to his habits of industry, thrift, and enterprise, and his able and wise management. He is possessed of exceptionally fine mechanical ingenuity and personally oversees the work of the employes. In addition to his large interests in this connection, he is a director in the Allis-Chalmers Company, the Wisconsin National Bank, and the Wisconsin Trust Company. Socially he is identified with the Milwaukee, the Town, the Country, and the Fox Point clubs. In his political views he is allied with the Republican party in national affairs, but does not allow his party fealty to influence his right of suffrage in local matters. On Jan. 6, 1897, Mr. Falk was united in marriage to Miss Eva Wilson Wahl, a daughter of Louis and Phoebe Grace (Wilson) Wahl, of Chicago. They have no children.

Christ Brust, who conducts a general farm and market garden in the town of Lake, was born in the province of Prussia, Germany, on March 28, 1838. He is a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Wolobor) Brust, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father followed agricultural pursuits in the old country and thereby earned a sufficient competence to enable him to migrate to America in 1843. He purchased eighty acres of totally unimproved land in the town of Lake. This he cleared and made of it a model farm, where he lived until his death, in May, 1869. His widow passed away on May 19, 1884, leaving a family of four children - three daughters and a son. At the time Christ Brust came to the town of Lake with his parents there were no schools accessible, and his earliest educational advantages were received under the preceptorship of a private instructor. Later he attended a German school on the South Side for thirteen days, and the balance of his education he received in the school of experience. When he left school he learned the trade of carpenter, and was successfully engaged as a journeyman in that vocation for twenty-five years. For a period of sixteen years he was engaged as a pattern-maker in the roller mills on the South Side, and then occupied a similar position with the White Hill Sewing

Machine Company for a short time. During the seven years immediately following he was a pattern-maker for the Wilcin Manufacturing Company, and severed his connection with that concern to become employed in a like capacity with the Filer & Stowell Company. While working in the roller mills he managed by frugality and hard labor to accumulate a sufficient amount to purchase a tract of land in the town of Lake, and in 1880 he removed to it. Since that time he has engaged in a general gardening business on the property, and has made an eminent success of the venture. The home which he now occupies was erected but a short time ago, and is modern and comfortable in every detail. In his political views Mr. Brust has strong Democratic proclivities, but does not allow his party fealty to cloud his better judgment in the exercise of his right of franchise. He was reared in the Catholic faith and is to-day one of the most zealous of the worshippers of the church of that denomination. On Jan. 28, 1869, Mr. Brust was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Biever, a daughter of Peter and Susan Biever, of the town of Lake. Eight children have been the issue of this union : Peter, Frank, Nicholas, Emma (now Mrs. Nicholas Detrich, of Racine), Joseph, John, Anna (who died in October, 1894), and Mary (now Mrs. Henry Schmittling, of St. Francis.

Michael J. McNamara, postmaster at St. Francis and agent of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad at that place, was born on a farm in the town of Wauwatosa on Sept. 29, 1863. He is the only surviving son of Dennis and Catherine (Woods) McNamara, the former of whom was born in County Clare and the latter in County Limerick, Ireland. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the land of his nativity, and after coming to Milwaukee county, in 1848, he purchased a farm in the town of Wauwatosa, the property now being a part of the present Soldiers' Home grounds. In 1864 he disposed of this by sale and purchased a farm in the town of Lake on the old Chicago road. This latter property is still held by his heirs. The father died in 1885 and the mother in 1889. Of the nine children born to the parents - five sons and four daughters - but one son and four daughters are living to-day. Michael J. McNamara, the subject of this memoir, received his early educational advantages in the district schools in the town of Lake, and in 1882 was graduated at Pio Nono college at St. Francis. In September of the same year he accepted a position as station agent at St. Francis on the Northwestern line, and remained in that capacity for a period of ten years. For some years he was engaged in the real estate business in Cudahy, Wis., and in 1893 was one of the foremost figures in making Cudahy a post-village of the government. As a recognition of his services he was made village postmaster, a position he held until a political change cost him the position in February, 1901. During the three years immediately following he was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company, in Milwaukee. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster at St. Francis, a position which he is to-day filling to the eminent satisfaction of the postoffice department and the patrons of the office. He was also instrumental in purchasing the right of way for the new Chicago & Northwestern line between Chicago and Milwaukee, and is the present agent of the Chicago & Northwestern railway at St. Francis. On national issues Mr. McNamara has been allied with the Republican party since the Democratic party took up the silver question in 1896. He has held various town offices, such as justice of the peace and appraiser, and at present is the incumbent of the office of town clerk. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith and is to-day a devout communicant of the church of that denomination. On Oct. 24, 1894, Mr. McNamara was united in marriage to Miss Anna Kuntz, a daughter of Matthias and Gertrude (Pinger) Kuntz, of the town of Lake. To this union have been born six children : Irene, Leo, Cyril, Francis, Carla and Margaret. Mr. McNamara's only fraternal relations are with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is popular with his fellow citizens, genial and hearty in his manner, and withal a most estimable citizen.

George William Wilks, a popular and well-known raiser of greenhouse vegetables in the town of Lake, was born in London, England, on Aug. 14, 1850. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mayhew) Wilks, both of whom were natives of England. The father left school at an early age and started life as a carpenter and corker in a ship-building institution, and remained there until 1852, the year he emigrated to America. He landed in Canada and there remained a short time, going thence to Baltimore, Md., where he worked at his trade. His residence in Baltimore did not continue long, however, and when he left there it was to remove to Cleveland, Ohio. In the latter city he worked at his trade for twenty-four years, and then removed to Milwaukee in 1878 to accept a position as foreman in the Fitzgerald shipyards. After a few years of work in this capacity he had accumulated a sufficient competence to allow him to retire, when he had received an injury which somewhat impaired his capacity for work. His death occurred on Oct. 16, 1901, at the age of seventy-three, and the mother died in October, 1865. The father's second wife passed away in 1903, in England. George William Wilks, the subject of this review, received a limited education in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended sessions for two years. He left school at the early age of nine years to accept emplo3rment in a tobacco factory. He was there but a short time, however, and then went to work in a shingle factory, which he left to go to work in a box factory. When he left the latter position it was to learn the trade of bricklaying and plastering, and then at the age of seventeen years he became a sailor on the Great Lakes. For nine successive years he was employed on the water, gradually being promoted from the position of night watchman, through the various departments of the work, until when he resigned he was the incumbent of the position of first mate. He then removed to Mil- waukee and for five years was an employe of the street railway company. Then he accepted an opportunity offered him to rent twenty acres of land in the town of Lake, which he held for six years. In the year 1888 he purchased twenty acres in the same town and erected upon it a sightly residence, from which he has a fine view of the city from the south. The first greenhouse which he erected on the property was built in 1892, and by eleven years later the business had grown to such an extent that it was necessary to build a large addition. Mr. Wilks is now actively engaged in the management of the property, and devotes his time chiefly to the raising of lettuce, radishes, and cucumbers, which he sells to the commission houses in the city. The success which he has achieved has been largely due to his ability to make the most of his opportunities, his capacity for hard work, and his sterling honesty. He is a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a heavy policyholder in the New York Life Insurance Company. In his political views Mr. Wilks is stanchly Republican, and has been the incumbent of the offices of roadmaster, town insurance agent, and district school clerk, the latter position having been his for nine years. He is a Protestant in his religious belief and one of the devout communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church. On May 31, 1879, ^r- Wilks was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Heseler, a daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Hackenbeck) Heseler, of Milwaukee. The children born to this union are Thomas William, George Frederick, Albert, and Emma. The sons all assist their father in the conduct of the business.

William Strothenke, a successful hot-house gardener of the town of Lake, was born in Prussia, Germany, on Feb. 25, 1852, a son of Herman and Anna Strothenke. The father was a butcher by vocation in his native country, learning the trade immediately after leaving school, and continuing in it until his removal to America. After his arrival in this country he came direct to Milwaukee and for a time lived in the Third ward. Subsequently he leased the old Upmeyer farm in the town of Lake, and after residing on the property for a number of years he purchased it and continued to live upon it until his death in the early seventies. His widow passed away in 1895, leaving a family of six children. The early education of William Strothenke, the subject of this review, was received in the old Burdick school in the town of Lake and at Steffen's German school on the south side. At the age of fourteen years he left school to assist his father in the conduct of the farm, and he remained at home until his marriage. He then purchased a small tract of land and embarked in business for himself, and as the venture prospered he would purchase more land and extend the field of his operations. In 1893 he determined to institute a new branch of work, and he erected a large hot-house, where today he is cultivating a large quantity of hot-house vegetables, with which he supplies a large trade. His success may be justly attributed to his indefatigable labor, his careful attention to details, and his native Teutonic thrift. While Mr. Strothenke has strong Republican proclivities he is not active in the work of his party, nor has he ever sought public office. In religious matters he is allied with the German Lutheran church. In February, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Koplin, a daughter of Michael and Catherine Koplin, of Milwaukee. Ten children are the issue of this union. Herman, the eldest, is an employe of the Milwaukee Gas Light Company, is married and resides in Milwaukee. The others are Henry, who is also married and is a hothouse gardener in the town of Lake ; John, Clara, Ana, Edward, William. Louisa, Ida, and Bernard, all of whom, with the exception of two married daughters in Milwaukee, make their home with their parents.

Frank Paul Dilger is one of the prominent florists of the. Cream City. He was born in Rose Hill, now a part of Chicago, 111., on Aug. 26, 1857, and is a son of Frank P. and Charlotte (Wollner) Dilger, the former of whom was born in Dorndorf, Wurtenberg, Germany, and the latter in Mecklenburg, Germany. The father was reared in his native city and there learned the carpenter's trade. This vocation furnished him employment until he came to the LTnited States in the early fifties, locating in Chicago. In that city he conducted a general market-gardening business up to the time of his death, which occurred on Dec. 25, 1872. The mother died on Nov. 24, 1869. There were three sons and two daughters in the family. Of these Robert F. is in the green-house business in Chicago ; Mathias M. is in the same business in Waukegan, 111. ; Sophia is now Mrs. N. H. Kransz, of Chicago ; and Anna is Mrs. William Volk, of Chicago. Frank P. Dilger, the subject of this memoir, attended the public schools of Rose Hill, 111., and the Andersonville school at Lake View. At the age of thirteen years he dropped his studies and entered the employ of H. M. Hanson, of Rose Hill, 111., in the green-house business, where he worked for a year. Then he returned to Chicago and for three years engaged in the marble business, one of the first buildings he worked on being the old Custom House. Then he re-entered the floristry work for two years, and the three years immediately following found him in the wholesale seed business with J. C. Vaughan. It was through Mr. Vaughan that he established what was one of the first wholesale florist's businesses in the west. When he had successfully conducted that for two years he opened a seed and flower store at 266 Milwaukee avenue, Chicago, and in August, 1883, removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he embarked in the same business at the corner of Reed and Mitchell streets. Five years later, in 1888, he purchased land in the Village of Bay View, on what is known as 418 Pryor avenue, and erected the green-houses which he now manages. His venture was successful in a financial way from the start, and today he is doing exceptionally well, specializing in cut flowers for wholesale trade and in bulbs. In his religious belief Mr. Dilger is affiliated with the Bible Institute of Allegheny, Pa., and is a Bible student. Politicallv he is identified with the Re- publican party, but has never aspired to public office. On Sept. 6, 1882, Mr. Dilger was united in marriage to Miss Agnes L. Daube, a daughter of Franz Frederick and Doris (Clausen) Daube, of Chicago. This union was blessed with the following children : Charlotte Sophia Agnes, now Mrs. Charles H. Bunde, of Fargo, N. D., bom July 20, 1883; Frank Paul, |r., born March' 12. 1885; Leila M., born Nov. 28/1886, died May 26, 1887; Ruth L., born Aug. 30, 1895, died Jan. 14, 1903; Lillian Doris, born April 6, 1901.

William A. S. Edlefsen is one of the leading florists of the Cream City. He was born in Altona, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on Jan. 19, 1846. He received his scholastic advantages in the institutions of his native country, and at the age of fifteen started out to earn his own living by becoming apprenticed to a florist in the city of his birth. Until 1867 he was variously employed in the best known and most advanced green-houses of both Germany and Switzerland, his ambition being to gain the best possible knowledge of the florist's art. In 1867 he immigrated to the United States and located at Pittsburg, where for ten years he found employment in the leading florists' establishments. His residence in Milwaukee dates from 1877, when, coming from Pittsburg, he conducted a retail flower store with Joseph Heiman, supplying the store from their own green-houses. After four years he purchased Mr. Heiman's interest. So rapidly has the concern grown that it is today known as one of the leading establishments of the Cream City, employing sixteen men and maintaining two retail stores, one at 349 Third street and the other at 782 Third street. The firm is now known as the Edlefsen-Leidiger Company. Mr. Edlefsen is president. Miss Rose Semler the vice-president, and Arthur Leidiger the secretary and treasurer. To Mr. Edlefsen's knowledge of the business, learned by years of hard work and industrious application, and his sterling honesty, is due in large measure the success of the firm. The green-houses and gardens are located just north of the city and cover an area of six acres. Mr. Edlefsen is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and although he has never held nor been a candidate for public office, he takes a keen interest in the welfare of his party. His church affiliations are with the German Lutheran society. On July 13, 1869, Mr. Edlefsen was united in marriage with Miss Elise Wehrs-Dreyer, of Altona, Germany. Five children came to bless this union, two of whom died in infancy. Margaret is now Mrs. Kroseberg, of Milwaukee : Catherine is Mrs. William Scott, of Pittsburg; and Valeria lives at home with her parents. Fraternally Mr. Edlefsen is prominent. He is a member of the Milwaukee Musicverein, A Capella Chor, the West Side Turnverein, and other societies.

Richard Doremus Whitehead, the efficient and popular superintendent of the Badger State Humane Society, was born at Jersey, Licking county. Ohio, on Dec. 31, 1832. He is a son of Edwin F. and Margaret (Doremus) Whitehead, both of whom were born in Seneca county, N. Y. The family are direct descendants of the Whiteheads who settled in America in the Sixteenth century. The father served an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and after reaching his majority came west to Michigan City, Ind., some time about the year 1826. He purchased a horse in that place and with it made his way to Chicago, then but a very small village. Subsequently he removed to Ohio and purchased a farm, where he and his family underwent all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The father died in 1870 and his widow passed away eleven years later. Of the twelve children born to the parents two died in infancy and the others grew to maturity. Richard D. Whitehead, the subject of this review, never had the advantages of a scholastic education of any kind, all his knowledge having been acquired under the preceptorship of his father. When a lad of eleven vears he went to make his home with his grandfather, and while there developd a great fondness for horses and stock of all kinds. While still a boy he entered the employ of a Mr. Miner, a wealthy horse owner and breeder, who saw in the lad great possibilities as a trainer and jockey. His first work on this stock farm was for the small salary of twenty-five dollars a month, but before many months his employer recognized his inherent ability to handle horses and his wages were gradually raised to $125 each month. When he had attained his majority he removed to Chicago and there became imbued with the necessity for some organized humane work for the horses and live-stock being brought into the city. It was not long before certain Milwaukee citizens interested in the same phase of humane labor heard of Mr. Whitehead's great work in Chicago, and a committee of representative citizens of the Cream City visited him and induced him to remove to Milwaukee and take up the superintendency of the work there. In 1879 he made this city his residence and began his labors. The first result of his work was the establishment of the Wisconsin Humane Society, of which he was elected superintendent. He served in that capacity for a period of nearly thirty years to the great satisfaction of everybody concerned, and only resigned on Feb. 16, 1906, to organize the Badger State Humane Society. As superintendent of the latter organization he has done mam-' things which have won him praise from the admirers of horses and livestock, chief among them being the erection of the drinking fountain in the city hall square. He has also been influential in organizing fifty-eight different societies throughout the state. Fraternally Mr. Whitehead is allied with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic order. In his political views he is allied with the Democratic party, but has never become the candidate for any office of public trust. He is not a member of any church organization. He is a Protestant in his religious belief and was baptized in the Presbyterian faith, but now attends the Episcopal church. In December, i860, Mr. Whitehead was united in marriage to Miss Catherina Hathaway, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Hathaway. To this union was born a daughter, Mollie. who died at Montgomery, Ala., at the asre of five vears.

Henry Gattman, president of the Henry Gattman Company, whose important retail establishment is located at No. 423 Grand avenue, was born in the city of Buda-Pesth, Hungary, Sept. 27, 1866, the son of Meyer and Regina Gattman. The parents were both natives of Hungary, and the elder Mr. Gattman was for many years a prominent and successful wholesale wine merchant at Buda-Pesth. His father lived in the United States for a number of years during the early days, but returned once more to his native land, where he died in the early seventies. Henry is one of a family of three children, and received his education in the schools of his native city. In the year 1883, when he was still little more than a lad, he came to America in search of larger opportunities, making his home in Chicago until very recently. His first business venture in Chicago was a retail store for the sale of gentlemen's neckwear; this he conducted successfully for about three years, and then embarked in the wholesale manufacture of ladies' cloaks, etc. His business in this line grew to generous proportions and proved highly remunerative, engaging his close attention and business energies for a period of twenty-two years. On Sept. 1, 1907, Mr. Gattman came to the city of Milwaukee, and there opened his present flourishing retail establishment at 423 Grand avenue, which deals exclusively in the sale of ladies' suits and outer garments. His excellent business sagacity has again brought him deserved success, and it is no idle flattery to state that he ranks as a first authority in his special branch of business. Mr. Gattman is affiliated with the Democratic party in politics, but is in no sense a politician, contenting himself with the intelligent performance of his civic 'duties. He is a member of the Jewish faith, and a generous supporter of many well-known charities. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, but otherwise is affiliated with none of the fraternal organizations. He was united in marriage on Sept. 27, 1904, to Miss Anna F., daughter of Carl and Rose Freschl, of Milwaukee, his father-in-law being one of the prosperous and substantial business men of the Cream City, and the president of the Kalamazoo Knitting Company. Mr. and Mrs. Gattman are the parents of two daughters : Dorothy, born Aug. 19, 1905, and Marie, born March 6, 1908. Their charming home is situated at No. 537 Hartford avenue.

Clarence G. Comstock, president of the My Laundry Company of Milwaukee, and one of the successful business men of the city, was born at Yucatan, Houston county, Minn., on Jan. 13, 1864, the son of Louis E. and Myra L. (Carpenter) Comstock. His parents are both natives of the state of New York, where his grandfather was a farmer before coming west, in 1848. Mr. Comstock, the father, made the long journey west to Minnesota with his wife and family in typical pioneer fashion, traveling by ox team. He settled on a farm in Houston county, which he worked successfully for many years. He abandoned the pursuit of agriculture in 1880, and served for a time as mail agent for the United States government; in 1894 he moved to Milwaukee, where he is now in- terested with his son in the My Laundry Company of this city. Clarence G., who is one of a family of six children, received his early education in the country schools of Houston county, and later attended the high school at Caledonia, Minn. Upon leaving school he was first employed in the printing office of the Houston County Journal, and was shortly afterward appointed mail clerk in the postoffice at Caledonia. He next went to La Crosse, Wis., and there served for a time as compositor on the daily papers of that city, and was also interested for a time in the Daily Star. He soon afterward sold out his interest in this paper to Frank Powell and embarked in the laundry business at La Crosse for one year. In 1884 he came to Milwaukee, where he was identified with the De Gunther Laundry Company for a period of four years ; next resided for brief periods in Marinette and Sioux City, la., and finally returned to Milwaukee, where he has since made his home. Here he started the My Laundry Company, of which he is president, and is meeting with splendid success in this business venture. John Thomann, the efficient vice-president of the company, was born in Milwaukee in i860. For several years after completing his educational training he was engaged in the floristry business with his father. Subsequently he became a co-partner with George Lingelbach in the business on Reed street. In 1894 he disposed of his interest in the concern to Mr. Hoverson and opened the Perfection Laundry in partnership with C. M. Gregg. This latter establishment was successfully conducted for ten years, at the end of which time Mr. Thomann purchased Mr. Gregg's interest and with Mr. Comstock established and incorporated the My Laundry Company. Mr. Thomann is a man of generous impulses, genial and kindly, and well liked by his associates. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Germania society. Mrs. Thomann was formerly Miss Ida Struckburg, a daughter of Rudolph Struckburg, of Milwaukee. Mr. Comstock is affiliated with the Republican party in politics, but has never sought public preferment on his own behalf. He takes an active and intelligent interest in all that concerns the welfare of the city and lends his support freely to every worthy public cause. He is popular in both the business and social life of the city, and possesses a genial and hearty disposition, which has gained him numerous friends. Mr. Comstock is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Independent Order of Foresters ; he is also an honorary member of Milwaukee's crack cavalry organization, the Light Horse Squadron. He was most happily married on Oct. 23. 1891, to Miss Eugenia, daughter of Julius and Eugenia (Steiffer) Weiland, of Milwaukee, and they have one daughter, Ada H., born Feb. 22, 1894.

William A. Koch, deceased, late of the city of Milwaukee, was born in the town of Artern, Prussian Saxony, Germany, on Dec. 29, 1832. and was the second oldest child in a large family of children. His father was a prosperous business man of Artern, Germany, where he reared and educated his numerous family of chil- clren. Three of the family, including our subject, came to the United States, where they were attracted by the larger field of opportunities. William A. received a good education in the schools of his native land, and then learned the trade of cabinet-maker, which engaged his attention for a number of years before he left the Fatherland. He arrived in the United States on July 4, 1858, and came directly to Milwaukee, where he worked at his trade as a cabinet-maker and carpenter. He was thus employed when the Civil war broke out, and, as was true of many others of our adopted citizens, he risked his life gladly in the cause of human freedom and the perpetuation of the government as handed down by the fathers. On Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin infantry, Col. William H. Jacobs and Fred C. Winkler, commanding. This was a gallant German regiment, which was organized at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, in the late summer of 1862, and which afterward participated in some of the most important campaigns and battles of the war. Mr. Koch served at the front with his command until after the close of the war. and was mustered out and honorably discharged from the service on June 13, 1865. He took part with the regiment in the following important engagements: Chancellorsville ; Gettysburg; Wauhatchie, Tenn. ; Lookout Mountain; Missionary Ridge; Resaca; Dallas; Kenesaw Mountain; Peachtree Creek; siege and capture of Atlanta ; March to the Sea and the engagements around Savannah, Ga. ; Campaign through the Carolinas in 1865, including the engagements at Averysboro and Bentonville. After the surrender of Johnston's army on April 26, 1865, he marched with Sherman's veteran troops through Virginia to Washington, D. C, where he took part in the Grand Review of the war-worn veterans, in May, 1865. Upon severing his conection with the army he returned to his home in Milwaukee, and once more resumed the peaceful occupation of carpentry. He abandoned this vocation in the year 1874 and embarked in the saloon and restaurant business. His establishment was located at 314 West Water street, and here he conducted a prosperous business for a period of a quarter of a century. He then sold out his business, and determined to employ his remaining years in rest and recreation. He had a great longing to revisit the scenes of his childhood after an absence of forty-two years, and now he proceedd to gratify this natural desire. He made the journey to the Fatherland, and it was indeed most fortunate that he did so at this juncture, as he only survived the trip some ten months. His death took place in Milwaukee on May 24, 1901, and he was buried with military honors- at Forest Home cemetery. Mr. Koch was a member of the Republican party, but never took an active part in the political game, though he was ever ready to assist his friends in their political aspirations. He was broad-minded and liberal in his religious convictions, and belonged to none of the orthodox denominations. He was an honored member of Robert Chivas Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Twenty-sixth Regiment Association ; he also belonged to the Old Settlers' Club (West Side), and the Sons of Hermann. Mr. Koch was most happily married on May 28, 1867, to Anna Maria, daughter of Adam and Theresa (Loth) Uhlensperger, of Milwaukee. This union was blessed with three children, of whom only one daughter, Mrs. Robert Maercklein, survives. Mrs. Koch now makes her home with this daughter, at No. 527 Van Buren street. Milwaukee. Dr. Maercklein is a prosperous dentist of the city.

Joseph P. Hurley, a shrewd young business man of the younger generation in Milwaukee, was born in Cedarburg, Wis., on Jan. 26, 1873. He is a son of John and Mary (Harrington) Hurley, the former of whom was born in Ireland and came to the United States while still a youth. The father, now retired, was engaged in railroad work all during his active career for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. Joseph P. Hurley, the subject of this memoir, received his educational advantages in the Catholic parochial schools of the Cream City. The first five years after leaving school he earned his livelihood by serving in a clerical position for the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. During the following four years he occupied a similar position with the Greene & Button Company, which has since become the Milwaukee Drug Company, and then for three years was employed in the confectionery department of the American Biscuit Company. Another four years he spent as a retail clerk in the store of Nicolai & Starr, men's furnishings. It was in 1900 that the firm of Hurley-Reilly was formed, with Mr. Hurley as president. The firm conducts a modern men's furnishing store at 89 Wisconsin street, and ever since its inception it has done a flourishing business, contributed to in large measure by Mr. Hurley's personal popularity. On Oct. 14, 1904, Mr. Hurley was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Wood, a native of Milwaukee, and a daughter of John Wood, an electrician and an old settler of Milwaukee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hurley are communicants of the Roman Catholic church, and the former is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus.