Men of Progress. Wisconsin. (pages 621-633) A selected list of
biographical sketches and portraits of the leaders in business,
professional and official life. Together with short notes on the
history and character of Wisconsin.

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Page 621 continued

PECKHAM, William S., is a New Englander by birth, having been born in
Lebanon, Conn., in 1831. He was educated there in the common schools,
and afterward went to Norwich, Conn., where he secured his first
position at a salary of $150 a year. He remained in the east until
1852, when he came to Indiana and settled in Lafayette the following
year. Here he remained for twenty-two years engaged in the real estate,
insurance and banking business. His success was unusual, and he became
one of the most prominent citizens of Lafayette. In 1874 he returned to 
the east and remained in New York for four years, engaging in a
lucrative and successful manufacturing business. At this time it became
necessary to reorganize in Milwaukee the firm of wholesale grocers
known as Smith, Roundy & Co., and at Mr. Roundy's invitation, Mr.
Peckham was received as the new member of the firm, the corporation
being henceforth known as Roundy, Peckham & Co. For two years he took
an active interest in the firm, but since 1880 his connection has been
entirely based on the large financial interest which he has in the
business, and he himself has not been actively interested.

Mr. Peckham has never had a home in Milwaukee, nearly all his time
being spent in travel, especially since 1880. He is much abroad, and
when he returns to the city it is only for a month or two, to look
after his business

[image: WILLIAM S. PECKHAM.]

interests. He is a man of great ability, executive and otherwise, and
of conservative judgment, and travel and observation and continual
study have made of him an unusual scholar and conversationalist.

HOLLISTER, Albert Henry, one of the leading business men of Madison, is
a native of the state of New York, having been born in Pendleton,
September 23rd, 1843. He is of patriotic lineage, his ancestors on both
sides having fought for the country in the colonial wars, in the war of
the Revolution, and the last war with Great Britain. When but four
years of age he had the misfortune to lose his mother; and, a few years
later, his father became blind, and the little boy was practically left
to his own resources as soon as he was able to do anything. When his
head was but little higher than the counter, he obtained a position in
a grocery store, which he retained for three years. Following this work
he attended school for a time. A physician, becoming interested in the
lad, gave him instruction in pharmacy, which proved the foundation

Page 622

[image: ALBERT HENRY HOLLISTER.]

of his success in the drug business in later years.

When fourteen years of age he, his father and his brother came to
Milwaukee, where the boy attended school in winters, devoting his
summers to work. Leaving Milwaukee, he was, for a time, a student in
the academy at Allen's Grove, near Beloit. The war of the rebellion
breaking out roused all his patriotic impulses, and, in August, 1862,
he enlisted in the Twenty-second regiment. Wisconsin volunteers. His
knowledge of medicine secured him a position under the surgeon of the
regiment. He was taken prisoner in Tennessee, and shut up for two
months in Libby prison, and when released was so broken in health that
he was sent into the hospital at Annapolis for treatment. When he had
recovered he was, on examination, commissioned first lieutenant in the
Thirtieth U. S. C. T., being then only nineteen years old; and at a
later date was recommended for promotion to the rank of captain.

Since the war he has been active and prominent in the Grand Army of the
Republican, is a welcome figure at its rallies and has held office
in the local post, and in the state and national departments. He is
also a member of another patriotic association, the Loval Legion. He
received from Gov. Geo. W. Peck thee appointment of acting assistant
engineer-in-chief on his personal staff, with the rank of colonel.

At the close of his military service he was but twenty-one years of
age, yet he lost no time in considering what department of civil life
he should enter; but, with that promptness in decision and that energy
in action which have always characterized him, he took up again the
profession which he had entered before his enlistment in the army, and
engaged in the drug business in Clinton, Wi. There he remained some ten
years, building up a prosperous business. But the place was too small
to satisfy the ambition of one possessing Col. Hollister's abilities,
and he removed, in 1875, to Madison, where he continued the business of
druggist--in a small way at first, yet steadily enlarging it until it
has become a very extensive and prosperous one, embracing all kinds of
drugs, fine chemicals, surgical instruments, etc. He has also added a
department for the wholesale manufacture of medicines, which has
reached large proportions. Possessing great industry, a capacity for
details, and unusual executive ability, he is able to carry on his
extensive and varied business and retain a close personal supervisor of
its every department.

Col. Hollister is an honored and very useful member of his profession,
and was indefatigable in his efforts for the formation of the Wisconsin
Pharmaceutical association, for the first president of which he was
nominated, but declined in favor of another, who was elected. It was
largely through his personal efforts that the law was enacted
regulating the practice of pharmacy in Wisconsin, a measure which has
done much to protect and elevate the profession in this state. He was
seven years a member of the pharmacy board. In connection with other
pharmacists he was active and very efficient in securing the
establishment of the department of pharmacy in the University of

Page 623

Wisconsin. The American Pharmaceutical association, of which he was
elected first vice-president, in 1885, has assigned him to important
committees; and, in 1886, he was president of the National Retail Drug
association. He has also been honored by election to the presidency of
the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical association. His professional associate
have shown in other way their appreciation of his services as one of
their number, and of his character as a man and a citizen.

As head banker of the Modern Woodmen of America, Col. Hollister is,
perhaps, most widely known. He was elected to this position in June,
1894, on account of his popularity as a man, his well-known business
ability, and in compliance with the unanimous request of the state camp
of the order. During his incumbency of the office he received and
disbursed over eight millions of dollars, and his bank account was the
largest brought to Madison, not excepting that of the state treasurer.
His bond as the Woodmen's banker was six millions of dollars was
readily secured in Madison, an evidence of the confidence which Col.
Hollister's fellow citizens repose in him. The increase in Madison's
postal business from this one source was very large, and a decided
benefit to the city. The transaction of this business alone was enough
to demand the entire time and attention of one man, yet Col. Hollister
managed it, with the assistance of the Capital City bank, without
neglecting his private business or remitting any of his duties as a
citizen.

Since his removal to Madison, Col. Hollister has been closely
identified with all its interests. He was one of the first to suggest
the idea of the Monona Lake assembly, being a graduate of Chautauqua;
and to his energy and enthusiasm, is largely due the realization of
this scheme for popular education. He has served in the city council,
and was treasurer of the Dane county Republican committee for many
years. He set the example of improving the street in front of his own
dwelling, and the plan of assessing the expense of street improvements,
upon abutting property was due to him. he was active in the
establishment of a city hospital, engaging with others in the work of
soliciting subscriptions therefor. The extension of the university
drive and other schemes for city improvement have been cordially
supported by him. He was one of the organizers of and director in the
Capital City bank, and is largely interested in several business
enterprises other than those already mentioned Loan and Building
association--in short, is thoroughly identified with the social,
political and business life of the capital. Both he and his wife are
members of the Congregational church, and their good works are known of
many. They live in a beautiful home on Langdon street, which possess
one of those charming lake views for which Madison is justly famous,
and here they are the center of a delightful social and literary
circle.

Col. Hollister was married, in 1864, to Jennie Farnsworth, of Darien,
Wisconsin, a schoolmate. They had one child, a boy, Albert Sherman, who
died at seven years of age from scarlet fever. His wife died soon
after. He married his present wife, Kittie F. Van Hoesen, of Clinton,
Wisconsin, in 1876. They have no children.

HUEGIN, Albert, business manager, is of Swiss parentage. His father is
a pump manufacturer, now retired from business, who has been throughout
his life in this country an ardent Republican, having espoused the
principles of that party at a time when Republicans were objects of
persecution. His mother's maiden name was Mary Degen. His parents came
to this country in the early forties, and settled in Milwaukee, where
the subject of this sketch was born on the 21st of September, 1853, on
the site now occupied by the city hall. Mr. Huegin was educated in the
German and English Academy, then known as "Engelman's School," an
institution which was considered far superior to the public schools of

Page 624

[image: ALBERT HUEGIN.]

those days. On attaining his sixteenth year, he secured employment on
the Herold, one of the German newspapers of Milwaukee, and through his 
close attention to duty won gradual advancement from office boy to 
mailing clerk and book-keeper, and finally to the position of private 
secretary and business manager when the Herold company was organized. He 
served in the latter capacity for about twelve years, making twenty- two 
years of service with the Herold in various positions. The late W. W. 
Coleman, one of the founders of the Herold, placed so much confidence in 
Mr. Huegin that he entrusted to him the entire control of the business, 
which at that time included, besides the daily issue of the Herold, the 
publication of ten different auxiliary newspapers. In March, 1891, two 
and one-half years after the death of W. W. Coleman, to whom he was much 
attached. Mr. Huegin accepted a flattering offer from The Milwaukee 
Sentinel, and assumed its business management, a position which he now 
ably fills. During his control of its business, the Sentinel has 
constructed a fine ten-story fire-proof newspaper and office building, 
the interior arrangement of which was entirely planned by him. He is a 
tireless worker, and gives the business of the Sentinel early and late 
attention. Mr. Huegin has never taken an active interest in politics, 
and has never held an elective office. He has to his credit, however, a 
term of efficient service on the school board as a commissioner from the 
Sixth ward. He is a member of the Turnverein Milwaukee, of the Milwaukee 
Musical society, and of the German-American School society. He was 
married April 6, 1878, to Ida Glaettle, who is also of Swiss parentage. 
He has three children--Ella, aged eighteen; Gretchen, aged thirteen, and 
Kurt, aged nine years.

KIEHLE, Rev. Amos Augustus, D. D., pastor of Calvary Presbyterian
church, Milwaukee, was born in Dansville, Livingston county, New York,
on the 22nd of March, 1847. His father, James Kiehle, was a tanner by
trade and occupation, owning a tannery which he carried on for years, 
gaining thereby a moderate competency of this world's goods. He was one
of those highly respected citizens who form the conservative element in
every prosperous community. A. A. Kiehle's mother was Elizabeth
Litchard, a woman of sterling Christian character, who impressed
herself indelibly upon her children to their lasting good. Both
paternal and maternal grandfathers were residents of Pennsylvania, but
removed to New York when their children were young, settling on farms
in Livingston county, where they remained during the rest of their
lives. Their ancestors came from "Old Holland." An older brother of A.
A. Kiehle is Rev. D. L. Kiehle, LL. D., of Minneapolis, Minn.,
formerly, for a number of years, state superintendent of public
instruction of Minnesota, and now professor of pedagogy in the
University of Minnesota.

A. A. Kiehle received his early education in the district school, which
was followed by a course in the Dansville, N. Y., Seminary, an
institution of higher education, with something

Page 625

more than a local reputation for the thoroughness of its instruction.
He then taught for two years in Canandaigua Academy, and in the
meantime prepared himself for a collegiate course, which he took at
Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y., entering that institution in
September, 1867, and graduating therefrom in 1871. While in college he
was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and a most faithful and
successful student, making a record for thorough scholarship and for a
broad and liberal culture. As student and teacher, he paid special
attention to the study of elocution, in which he won several prizes ad
acquired a facility and power as a public speaker which has proved of
great practical advantage to him in his professional life. He believes
that the study of language and elocution are not accorded the place in
a liberal course of study which their importance demands. In the fall
of 1871, he entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and
graduated therefrom in the class of 1874. Soon after he received and
accepted a call to the pastorate of the Franklin Avenue Presbyterian
church of Minneapolis. Minn., and, on the 21st of October, 1874, he was
ordained to the gospel ministery and installed pastor of that church.
The duties of this position he discharged with much fidelity until
February, 1878, when he accepted a call from the First Presbyterian
church of Stillwater, Minn., where he labored with great ability and
success until the summer of 1881, when he became pastor of Calvary
Presbyterian church of Milwaukee, which position he is still most
acceptably filing. During his pastorate the church has more than
doubled its membership, a heavy debt has been paid, the church building
has been enlarged and the congregations greatly increased.

May 13th, 1874, Mr. Kiehle was married to Miss Julia Reed of Livonia.
N. Y. She died August 1st, 1878, leaving two daughters, Bessie M. and
Grace J. July 28th, 1881, Mr. Kiehle married Frances Decker of South
Livonia, N. Y., who died March 10th, 1885,

[image: REV. AMOS AUGUSTUS KIEHLE.]

leaving one child, a son, Ernest. On the 24th of June, 1890, Mr. Kiehle
married his present wife, Miss Bessie Harrison of Milwaukee.

Mr. Kiehle is a Republican in politics; and, while he is in no sense a
"political preacher," he takes a deep interest in all public questions,
whether political, social or industrial, and never neglects his duties
as a citizen. He is eminently a preacher of the gospel, but is fully
alive to the fact that the gospel has a very close relation to daily,
practical life, and he does not hesitate to point out and emphasize
that relation in a manner that leaves a lasting impression. As a
preacher, Mr. Kiehle has popular manner, is an impressive reader of the
scriptures, has a voice that easily fills the largest audience rooms
and is most pleasant to the ear. His style is clear, direct, forcible
and often most eloquent, while the plain truths of scripture seem to
acquire a new power as they fall from his lips. He does not unduly
advance the doctrinal phase of religion, nor does he indulge in mere
theological speculation. He is a broad, liberal-minded, growing man,
and one who stands in the front rank of his profession.

Page 626

[image: RALPH C. VERNON.]

VERNON, Ralph C., state treasury agent, and a resident of Madison, is
the son of Daniel Vernon, a farmer in good circumstances, and Mary Ann
Goodwin, both of whom are from English ancestry. Ralph C. was born in
the town of Middleton, Dane county, Wis., January 30, 1859. His
education was received in the common school of his native place, and in
the Madison high school. After leaving school he was engaged in the
stock business with Richard Green, of Middleton, from 1878 to 1883, and
with M. F. Van Norman, at the same place, until December, 1886, when he
was appointed under-sheriff of Dane county by Sheriff J. M. Estes. This
position he held during the years 1887 and 1888. He was elected sheriff
in the fall of the year last named and held the office the full term of
two years. Upon retiring from the shrievalty, he formed a partnership
with H. C. Adams in the real estate business, which continued from 1891
to 1894. About this time he took up the study of law, entered the law
department of the state university, and was graduated therefrom in the
class of 1896. He received the appointment of treasury agent from
Governor Upham,
was reappointed by Governor Scofield, and is now performing the duties
of that office.

He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, and the Madison Business Men's club. In religion the family
are Methodist.

February 5th, 1880, Mr. Vernon was married to Emma C. Gordon, who died
November 16th, 1890, leaving one child, Jennie E. Vernon, born June
26th, 1885. His second marriage occurred on the 5th of July, 1893, to
Amy G. Rand, and there is one child by this marriage--Joseph Rexford
Vernon.

Mr. Vernon has long been known as a thorough Republican from principle-
-as one who shows his faith by vigorous, intelligent and effective
work, and is an influential participant in the party councils. In
general, it may be said, that he is a man of energy, industry and
resource, and with the ability to work his way to the front in whatever
he undertakes, as may be gathered from this outline of his career. He
also possesses, in large measure, that element of success--constancy to
principle and to friends.

KEOGH, Edward, has had a career equally prominent in business and
politics. He was born in that country which has given America so many
of its political leaders, Ireland, Mr. Keogh first saw the light in
County Cavan, May 5, 1835, but his recollections of the Emerald Isle
are only those of early childhood, for, in 1841, he came to America
with his parents, Thomas and Ann (Boylan) Keogh. For a year the Irish
immigrants lived in Utica, N. Y., but they heard of the golden
opportunities of the west, and particularly of the advantages of
Milwaukee, where a good many of their countrymen were settling at that
time, so in 1842 the family removed to the city by the lake, which has
ever since been Edward Keogh's home. Thomas Keogh had been a teacher in
Ireland, and in the Third ward, where the family made their home, he
instructed Milwaukee youth for a good many

Page 627

years. As the father's financial resources were limited, young Edward
early struck out to make his own living, and as a beginning he engaged
to serve a printing office in the capacity of "devil." His
apprenticeship as a printer was completed in the Sentinel office, when
Gen. Rufus King was at the head of that establishment.

Mr. Keogh's aptitude for politics manifested itself at a very early
age, and he became a prominent worker in the Democratic ranks. In 1861
he was sent to the legislature as a member of the assembly, and the
next year he was elected a member of the senate, the youngest member of
that body ever chosen in Wisconsin. In later years he returned to the
assembly in which branch of the legislature he became a veteran,
serving in 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1883, 1887, 1889, 1891
and 1893. During his last term, in 1893, he was elected speaker of the
assembly. For many years, by virtue of his having received important
printing contracts, Mr. Keogh has sustained intimate relations to the
city government, and he is considered one of the best-posted men in
Milwaukee on municipal affairs.

It was in 1867 that Mr. Keogh embarked himself in the printing business
by starting a small job office, which grew steadily in consequence of
the proprietor's industry and application, and which now ranks among
the best typographical establishments in the city. In 1889, when the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway's general offices were removed to
Chicago, Mr. Keogh established a branch office in that city, as he had
long done work for the St. Paul company, and desired to continue
business relations which had been mutually satisfactory.

Perhaps the most conspicuous work done by Mr. Keogh in the legislature
was in connection with legislation governing elections and caucuses. He
was the father of the first caucus law whose provisions were applied to
Milwaukee, and was instrumental in having the Australian ballot system
adopted.

In 1857 Mr. Keogh married Katherine

[image: EDWARD KEOGH.]

Manion, like himself a native of Ireland, and two sons and one daughter
were born to them. The printer-legislator is socially popular, a member
of the Old Settlers' club, the Wisconsin Mutual Aid alliance, and the
Knights of Pythias, and a communicant at St. John's cathedral. Starting
in life without the advantages of fortune or influence, he has achieved
prominence and more than the ordinary measure of success by showing
those qualities which deserve success.

KIMBERLY, John Alfred, at the head of the Kimberly & company of Neenah,
one of the greatest paper manufacturing concerns in the world, is the
son of John R. Kimberly, who was a general merchant and manufacturer of
flour in Troy, N. Y., and who was prominent in political circles there
prior to his removal to the west. Mr. Kimberly's mother was Aurelia and
Aldrich, a resident of Rochester, N. Y., prior to her marriage.

J. A. Kimberly was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1838 and in 1849, came west
with his parents, who settled in Neenah. Having received

Page 628

[image: JOHN ALFRED KIMBERLY.]

his primary education in private schools in his native city, upon
coming to Neenah he entered Lawrence University at Appleton, where he
gained an education fitting him for a business career, which he entered
in 1857, ere he was twenty years of age. His first business venture was
in company with H. Babcock, in general merchandizing which was
followed, in 1862, by the purchase of an interest in a flour mill, and
later he became interested in a saw-mill and the lumber trade, which he
continued for twenty-five years. In 1872 was formed the co-partnership
of Kimberly, Clark & Co. for the manufacture of paper, which was
subsequently changed to the corporation of Kimberly & Clark company,
which has now been in existence for twenty-five years. This company
began in a small way, the daily product of its one mill not exceeding
two tons of print paper. The company now has some thirty pulp and paper
machines, with an aggregate capacity of 140 tons per day of all grades
of paper, from the huge rolls of paper for the daily journals to the
finest grades of book and writing paper. Their product includes the
finest brands, such as loft-dried bond, linen, ledger and the highest 
class of letter and not paper. This latter branch of the business is 
comparatively new to the company, but the enterprise has meet with 
remarkable success, and the paper is on a par with the best on the 
market. The capital stock of this company is $1,500,000, that of its 
kindred, the Atlas Paper company, manufacturer of manila and colored 
poster paper, $250,000; Telulah Paper company, manufacturers of book 
paper, $250,000; Shattuck & Babcock company, manufacturing fine writing 
paper, $500,000, making a total capital stock in all the companies of 
$250,000. It is a pleasure to note the growth of an industry like this, 
because it shows the resources of the commonwealth, the enterprise and 
skill of its citizens and its marvelous industrial progress. Among the 
most important and gratifying facts connected with this industry is that 
it furnishes remunerative daily employment to one thousand men and women 
and that the yearly disbursements of the company in wages aggregate a 
half a million dollars: and, in addition to this, the expenditure in the 
construction of the works has exceeded three million dollars. The 
Kimberly & Clark company is also a half owner of the Little Chute Pulp 
company, the products of which, pulp and sulphite, are consumed in the 
grate paper mills of the organization. In short, the company 
manufactures everything in the line of paper from the raw material to 
the most finished product, and has done as much to spread abroad the 
industrial fame of Wisconsin as any enterprise in the entire state. The 
courage and business sagacity of Mr. Kimberly and his associates have 
conferred a great public benefit upon their fellow-citizens, and 
especially upon the communities where their works are located, and they 
are entitled to all honor as citizens and to all the pecuniary success 
which their enterprise and skill have achieved.

In 1867 Mr. Kimberly was married in Logansport, Ind., to Miss Helen
Chency, and they have seven children, namely: John Alfred, Jr., Helen
Cheney, James Cheney, Jessie

Page 629

Aurelia, Nancy Evans, Lulu Manville and Mary Emma.

Mr. Kimberly is a Republican in politics, but has not been prominent in 
public life, although his late partner, Charles B. Clark, was once a 
member of the legislature and twice a member of the congress. But in the 
success of the great corporation of which he is the had he has achieved 
greater honor than any which attaches to mere official position, however 
exalted.

HANNIFIN, Patrick R., merchant, is a native of Milwaukee, who is known
in commercial circles as a man of rare business sagacity. He received a
common school education, and then turned himself toward business
pursuits. He entered the employ of the late T. A. Chapman, when the
business of that enterprising merchant was located on East Water
street, and has been connected with the Chapman store throughout his
entire business life. Through his steadfast attention to very duty that
was entrusted to him he rose from the position of cash boy in the
establishment to the place he now occupies, and also became a
stockholder in the company. During T. A. Chapman's life he was a trusty
business conferee of that successful builder of business. When Mr.
Chapman passed away he assumed the management of his great dry goods
establishment--the largest in the state of Wisconsin--and the continued
success of the business is due to his managerial ability. He has strong
intuitions in the important matter of credit, and in the purely
mercantile branch of the business, and this gives his advice and his
recommendations in regard to purchase and sales an authoritative value.
He not only manages the immense dry goods store of the T. A. Chapman
company on Wisconsin street, but he personally attends to the buying in
the great manufacturing and wholesale centers. Mr. Hannifin is a man of
business habits who has not permitted politics to interfere with his
natural interest in mercantile affairs. However,

[image: PATRICK R. HANNIFIN.]

he has served the people as school commissioner for two terms by
appointment as the representative of the Eighteenth ward. Mr. Hannifin
is a prominent member of the Bon Ami club, of which social organization
he is now president.

BRUMDER, George, who was born in Germany in 1839, came to America and
to Milwaukee in 1857. The advantages of fortune were not his in youth,
and it was by the labor of his hands that he got a start in life. After
maintaining himself in Milwaukee for some years, and gaining a good
reputation for industry and integrity, Mr. Brumder, in 1864, engaged in
the publishing and book-binding business, in which he did well. In
1873, prominent Milwaukee German-Americans formed the German Protestant
Printing association, and began the publication of a newspaper called
the Germania. Both weekly and daily editions were published for a time,
but as the association did not succeed very well with the enterprise,
the original promoters dropped out, and Mr. Brumder became the
proprietor of the Germania. Into its

Page 630

[image: GEORGE BRUMDER.]

development he threw his best energies, and, indeed, the history of the
Germania's growth is the history of the best years of Mr. Brumder's 
active life. Suspending the publication of the daily when he took hold 
of the paper, he centered his efforts upon the weekly with such signal 
success that in not only became the recognized organ of the Lutheran 
church, but attained a larger circulation than any other American 
publication in the German language. The phenomenal success of this 
paper, after the people who founded it had abandoned hope, shows with 
what energy and sagacity the man at the helm conducted his affairs. In 
1891 the daily edition was revived and has since been published, having 
been successful from the start. In 1897, Mr. Brumder bought the Abend- 
Post, which had been published by a company with Paul Bechtner at its 
head, and the two dailies were consolidated under the name of the 
"Germania und Abend-Post." At the same time Mr. Brumder began the 
"Germania and Sontagspost."

A man of progress in every sense of the word, Mr. Brumder set about 
providing a suitable home for the large establishment that grew up under 
his captaincy, and early in 1897 there was completed the Germania 
building, fronting on West Water, Wells and Second streets, one of the 
largest and most substantial structures in the city, and one of the 
ornaments of Milwaukee's business district. In this building Mr. Brumder 
carries on his enterprises of publishing, book-binding and book-selling. 
The employer of many men, his relations with his employes have always 
been pleasant, and, indeed, his establishment has always been a model of 
harmony in that respect. Mr. Brumder attained this unusual measure of 
success in the full prime of his life, and at a time when he has the 
prospect of living many years to see the fruition of his labors. He is 
devoted to his home and his interesting family, for whom he has provided 
one of the finest residences on one of the finest streets of the city, 
Grand avenue. The story of his life is one that may serve to stimulate 
young men who struggle against adversity, for he achieved unaided a 
position in his city and country that entitles his name to a high place 
among the men of the west.

BLACK, John, ex-mayor of Milwaukee, is justly entitled to the honor and
distinction of being classed as one of the most progressive, honored
and valued citizens of Wisconsin, as well as of Milwaukee. Foremost in
several pronounced movements for the general improvement and advantage
of his state and home city, Mr. Black enjoys the satisfaction, in his
declining years, of a full realization that his efforts haven not been
in vain. The excellent and complete waterworks system of the present
day in Milwaukee is largely the result of his personal and continued
efforts as an early member of the common council of the city, while, as
a member of the state legislature, in both branches, he worked
industriously for the general advancement of the state, and now, in his
latter days, and with the best

Page 631

interests of his much-loved Milwaukee at heart, he is the originator
and chief mover in the systematic, organized efforts to secure for the
city one or more additional lines of trunk railway for the best
interests of all, and because, as he has noted by close observation,
the city has naturally outgrown the idea of restriction and favoritism
toward roads, and needs additional lines to handle the business, even
up the great question of equal and just rates, and to aid the continued
up-building of our manufacturing industries, which must look to
sufficient transportation facilities and fair rates before complete
success can be assured.

As a prominent and active member of the Milwaukee Merchant's and
Manufacturer's association, Mr. Black recently introduced the important
subject of more railway facilities for the city. He found a peculiar
feeling of silence existing upon the subject, but, by a rousing speech
he changed apparent lethargy into enthusiastic activity, and the result
is said to have been the prompt organization of a strong association of
leading business men of the city, for the avowed purpose of pushing a
matter which has been allowed to sleep serenely and quietly for years
in Milwaukee, and which now promises, as a result of the energy;
earnestness and influence of John Black, to array itself in the garb of
activity and success--the force of Mr. Black's able argument having
made itself fully felt.

John Black was born and partially reared near the city of Bitche,
France-Lorraine, sixty-nine years ago, and was the son of Peter Black,
an intelligent and well-to-do farmer of that part of France. Young John
was sent to college at Metz, at that time belonging to France, where he
received a good education, and in 1844, with his parents and three
brothers and a sister, he immigrated to the New World, his parents
settling on a farm near Lockport, N. Y., where John entered a school
for the purpose of acquiring an English education, but he soon found he
was better educated than the teacher, and he entered another

[image: JOHN BLACK.]

school and completed his studies, acquiring an excellent English
education in addition to the complete education he had received in his
native country.

When still a young man, Dr. Black entered the employ of a wholesale
grocery and liquor firm at Lockport, N. Y., where he agreed to work for
$30 for the first year, $50 for the second, and $80 for the third,
including his board and washing. At the end of the three years he
engaged with a dry goods house at $10 a month, with board, but his
salary was soon doubled as a result of his value to the firm, and his
thorough mastery of several languages.

Later, he was engaged to look after the sale of the lands known as the
Tonawanda swamp, largely owned by ex-Governor Washington Hunt, and by
his energy and excellent business tact., Mr. Black succeeded in
disposing of a large amount of the land, enriching his employer and
making a good-seized sum for himself in commissions. The first
wholesale firm he worked for then entered into negotiations with him to
go into business as a partner, and after doing so, the young and

Page 632

active business man found that he was performing the greater part of
the work, and he suggested that the others sell out to him or buy him
out. They concluded to buy, and Mr. Black left, with his young wife,
for Milwaukee, arriving and settling in this city in 1857. He at once
began business on his own hook, opening in the wholesale wine and
liquor business, in which he was remarkably successful, going through
the great business panic of that period in good condition, although
many of his customers went under, Mr. Black never failed to meet a
financial obligation, and early in business life established the
excellent reputation he still enjoys for honorable transactions,
promptness in meeting his obligations, and being fairly disposed to all
with whom he had dealings. In a quiet way, Mr. Black has assisted a
number of struggling young business men to get upon their feet in
Milwaukee, and he was never known to push one of them, although they
did not all show that appreciation his assistance suggested was due.

Always a pronounced Democrat, a worker in the ranks and liberal in
donations to the political cause he loved, Mr. Black was naturally
brought into political prominence. He served several terms in both
houses of the state legislature, where he introduced measures of
importance, in the best interests of the state. He was elected to the
common council, in which body his broad-minded ideas of public
improvements at once became known and resulted in the move to establish
in Milwaukee what is to-day considered one of the best and most
complete systems of city waterworks to be found in the country, owned
and controlled by the city. Later, when elected to the office of mayor,
with the city largely Republican, Mr. Black proceeded to uniform the 
police force and to make other needed and desirable changes in the 
internal affairs of the city. And, while in that office, he sat down 
upon one of the most pronounced ring movements, aimed to control the 
appointive features of the municipality, that was ever secretly 
engineered in the city. The scheme was arranged to be sprung during 
Major Black's absence in Boston, and all his appointments to office were 
to be overthrown and the acting major was to appoint other men in their 
places. The trick was heard of by Major Black; he took the first train 
to Milwaukee, not even taking time to go to his hotel for baggage or to 
pay his bill, and he walked into the major's office one hour before the 
scheme was to have been carried out. He was in full charge and the 
surprised conspirators were so neatly defeated that they dropped the 
entire scheme, and Major Black carried through every feature of his 
policy, which was intended, throughout, for the best interests of all.

In 1886, Mr. Black was the Democratic nominee for congress, but was
defeated. He was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions of
1884 and 1888, and had the satisfaction of working for the nomination
of his favorite, Grover Cleveland.

Socially, Mr. Black is approachable, genial of nature, warm-hearted and
earnest. He is pronounced in his likes and dislikes, and never endorses
a man or measure, for the sake of friendship, that does not meet his
full idea of integrity or justice. He is always frank and outspoken,
and no one need leave his presence under any mistaken impression as to
just where he stands and what he thinks.

Mr. Black resides in an elegant and comfortable home at 134 Juneau
avenue, which home, since the death of his most lovable and estimable
wife, which occurred in January, 1891, has been lovingly presided over
by his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Black. Another daughter, the only other
child living, is Mrs. Clarke, of Chicago, widow of a prominent banker
in that city, who died several years ago. Mrs. Black was the daughter
of Bernhard Schoeffel, for years a leading attorney of Rochester, N. Y.
She was a lady of high culture and rare attainments, with those womanly
graces which won for her the love and affection of all near her, and
the highest respect of her neighbors and friends. As a monument to her
memory, the husband gave a

Page 633

large sum of money, some years ago, for the erection of the present
handsome spire on St. John's cathedral, of which church he and his
daughters are devout members, and the wife and mother was prominently
identified with its work.

HERBST, S. C., is a native of Prussia, in which German state he was
born in the year 1842. His residence in Milwaukee dates from the year
1859, when, a youth of seventeen, he came to make the Cream City his
home. From 1863 to 1867 he was in the clothing business, but he left
that branch of trade to become a dealer in wines and liquors. In this
business Mr. Herbst has been eminently successful, his house having had
a steady growth from its foundation, until it now ranks among the best
in its line of trade in the country. Mr. Herbst is president of the S.
C. Herbst Importing company, which has large quarters at the corner of
Fourth and Chestnut streets. L. B. Walter is secretary, and B. Stumes
treasurer of the company. The head of this house has done not a little
to increase the trade in the finer grades of wine, and particularly
champagne, in the western country. The Herbst company imports large
quantities of the better qualities of champagne, and is famed for its
dealings in that exhilarating beverage.

Mr. Herbst is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and

[image: S. C. HERBST.]

a member of the Order of B'nai Brith. He has never been a politician,
having been too much occupied with his business affairs to have let the
desire for office or the craving for political power get any hold upon
him. He is a man devoted to his family and lives in a beautiful home at
Wells and Fourteenth streets, one of the pleasantest residences on the
west side.

End Part 20