Bio of BRESLAUER, Michael (b.1855 d.1916), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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MICHAEL BRESLAUER - Vol II, pg 318-321
In the development of an immense outdoor advertising business Michael Breslauer
became known throughout the country. He was also a prominent figure in sporting
circles and along both lines did much to make Minneapolis known. He was likewise
recognized as one of the leaders of the democratic party in the state and he
never failed in loyal allegiance and support to any cause which he espoused. For
thirty-seven years he remained a resident of Minneapolis, widely known and
esteemed. He was born May 31, 1855, in New York city, a son of Harrison and
Pauline Breslauer, who were natives of Germany. For a brief period in early
manhood he was in St. Paul but desired to reside in Minneapolis. He often
related that he borrowed a dollar to meet the expenses of the journey between
the Twin Cities for himself and a friend but the two spent the dollar before
they started and thence walked the distance to Minneapolis. . Here Mr.
Breslauer's first position was with the Tribune as a typesetter, a trade which
he had previously learned; but after a brief period he paid two hundred and
fifty dollars for the business of the firm of Keating & Snyder, conducting a
small billposting enterprise, their shop being in the basement of the old Pence
Opera House. He thus acquired the nucleus of his later mammoth enterprise.
Concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development of the business, he
at length evolved from this humble beginning the Northern Display Advertising
Company, of which he was vice president and general manager until his last
illness cut short his activities. He watched every avenue and opportunity that
pointed to success. He had as his competitors L. N. Scott, now of the
Metropolitan theatre, then conducting an advertising business in St. Paul, and
the Gunning System of Chicago. After some years the three interests were
consolidated and the business carried on under the name of the Northern Display
Advertising Company, controlling the billposting and display service in St.
Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Superior, the Mesaba range and other places in the
northwest. Their interests were thoroughly systematized and the trade developed
along most substantial lines until the business became one of the foremost in
outdoor advertising in this section of the country. Mr. Breslauer kept in touch
with similar enterprises throughout the country and was familiar with every
obstacle and difficulty that featured in the business, as well as its
opportunities. Billposting companies had many battles to fight and Mr. Breslauer
was continually working for improved conditions for the business. He was chosen
treasurer of the national organization known as the National Poster Advertisers
and also became the vice president and a director of the Northern States Poster
Advertisers Association. Year by year his individual business grew and expanded
and success in large measure rewarded his labors.
Mr. Breslauer was always keenly interested in politics as a supporter of
democratic principles. It is said that as a newsboy he received his first
lessons in practical politics under Boss Tweed of New York, while selling
newspapers on the streets of that city. Through talks with the political leader
he learned much concerning party organization and the knowledge thus acquired he
utilized in political management in after years in Minneapolis. About a quarter
of a century prior to his death he organized in this city a. Tammany Hall,
renting a building on Western avenue at his own expense and naming it after the
great New York democratic headquarters. He believed that this would prove a
center from which would radiate a strong democratic influence throughout the
city and the state. He acted as chairman of the democratic state central
committee when John Lind was elected governor of Minnesota and there were few
party councils held during a quarter of a century that he did not play a
conspicuous role in connection therewith. Although the republican party was
dominant in Minnesota he never lost his faith in democracy and remained one of
its unfaltering and stalwart supporters throughout his life. Mr. Breslauer
always manifested keen interest in sports and was the lessee of the old
Washington rink, which was located in Washington avenue North, near Plymouth. It
was the scene of many attractive roller skating events when that sport was at
its height and there were also held many famous bicycle races in a day when the
riders were upon the old-time high-wheeled bicycle, before the safety wheels
came on the market. At the time when bicycle races were staged all skaters were
barred from the floor and the riders making seven laps to a mile would speed
around the tracks at a rate then considered remarkably fast. It was found by the
riders that the turns were difficult and dangerous to negotiate at high speed
and Mr. Breslauer is given credit for conceiving the idea of banking the turns.
Later the safety bicycles were introduced and many races of this kind were held
here. The rink made Minneapolis a sport center of the nation and Mr. Breslauer a
national character. It was in the old rink that John L. Sullivan broke his arm
fighting Patsy Cardiff and many other notable ring battles were there fought.
Great singers were also heard from the stage in the rink, as it was the largest
auditorium in the city. In 1879 Mr. Breslauer was married to Miss Mary Lawler, a
daughter of Miles and Margaret (Burns) Lawler. She was born in Waupun,
Wisconsin, and was brought to Minnesota by her parents when but six months old,
the family settling in Winona. Mr. and Mrs. Breslauer have had a daughter,
Margaret, and two sons, William J. and Edward L., who together with the wife
survive the husband and father, who passed away at his home in Minneapolis, July
7, 1916. He was a charter member of the Elks lodge here and he was at all times
interested in those plans or projects which have to do with the city's
development, activity and growth. Although the opportunities of his youth were
limited, he rose to prominence in connection with business affairs and as a
figure in political and sporting circles and wherever he was known he won
friends by reason of his personality and cordiality.