Milwaukee County Wisconsin Genealogy

 Biographies and Family Information

Includes Marriages, Births, Confirmations, Baptisms

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EDWARD HALM

Source:Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County (1909), By Jerome Anthony Watrous

Edward Halm one of the old residents and well-known business men of the Cream City, who owns a drug store at 1159 Tenth street, was born in Germany on Oct. 16, 1858. His parents, Edward and Hellena (Berger) Halm, were both Germans by birth, born in the Fatherland in 1817 and 1824, respectively. The elder Halm was a merchant and reared a family of twelve children, only six of whom are still living. He died at his old home in 1875 and was followed by his wife and faithful helpmate in 1904.

The subject of this sketch received his scholastic education in the government Gymnasium of his native country, but left for America in 1884 and located in Milwaukee, where he worked for six years for F. Dohmen & Company and then for Hans Kienth for two years. Then he returned to Germany, and after spending some time in Europe came to Milwaukee to accept a position as chemist with the F. Dohmen Company and remained with that firm in that capacity a total of eighteen years. Mr. Halm was not contented to remain an employe, and in 1904 engaged in the drug business for himself at 1159 Tenth street. He has prospered and is one of the well-known and popular men in this business on the northwest side.

On March 23, 1893, he was united in marriage with Marie Amalia, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Mueller) Halm, who were both born in Germany in 1824 and emigrated to the United States and settled in Milwaukee in 1849. Mrs. Halm's mother was called to her long sleep by the Angel of Death in 1886, and her father lived to the hale old age of seventy-six years, dying in Milwaukee in 1900.

For years he had been a harness maker on Chestnut street, and while living there reared a family of eleven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Halm one child has been born, Mercedes, who is fourteen years of age. The family are devout members and supporters of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Halm is a member of the Milwaukee Pharmaceutical Association, a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists and of the Old Settlers' Club. His political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is ever ready to assist financially and otherwise in the advancement of the party.

 

JOHN HAMME

Candidate for City of Wauwatosa
John Hamme, Republican candidate for alderman, is at present a clerk in Kurth Brothers' store. This is his first campaign for office.

Source: Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899

 

DR. H. M. HARD

Source: The Medical History of Milwaukee, By Louis Frederick Frank. Published 1915. Germania Publishing Co.

Dr. H. M. Hard is historically, only reported to have transgressed the Code of Ethics by advertising, for which he was expelled from the Milwaukee Medical Association, after which he established a Sydenham Infirmary, which he conducted for a short time, before leaving the city in 1849.

 

PHILANDER H. HARRIS, M. D.

Source:Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County (1909), By Jerome Anthony Watrous

Philander H. Harris, M.D. a practicing physician of Milwaukee, was born at Rio, Columbia county, Wisconsin, on May 26, 1854, son of John and Mary (Cray) Harris, the former of whom was a native of the state of Massachusetts and the latte of northern Ireland. The father was born in the Old Bay State in 1812, and there grew to manhood. Some time in the forties he migrated to the then far west, stopping first in the village of Milwaukee, but later went to Rio, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he erected a log house and began life in the true pioneer style. He continued actively engaged in farming until 1881 and then took a respite, living in well-earned retirement until his death, in December 1904. He was a republican in his political views and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1877, and of the six children born to these parents all are now living.

Dr. Harris received his preliminary education in the public schools of Rio, graduating in the high school at that place, and then learned the business of telegraphing, at which he worked for a short time. He then became an employee in the Milwaukee County Hospital, where he remained four years and during that time took a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, in which institution he graduated on Feb. 21, 1887. He immediately located in Milwaukee for the practice of his profession and has since been so engaged, meeting with very gratifying success from the very beginning of his career as a physician.

He is married to Miss Helen Richter, a native of Utica, N. Y. Dr. Harris gives his political support to the Republican Party, and fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of red Men and Knights of Pythias.

 

J.S. HARVEY

Superintendent of Milwaukee City Elevator, is a native of Illinois, and was born September 7, 1834. He grew up and attended school in that state; learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and studied architecture. He came to this city in 1858, and helped build the first elevator erected here, and was foreman in charge of the work, since which he has built Angus Smith & Co. elevators, A and B, also the C.M. & St. P. Co's large Elevator, E. He has been connected with elevators in this city for twenty-two years. Since 1868, has had charge of all the elevators in the city, and is the oldest official connected with elevators in Milwaukee. Residence, No. 115 Eighth street.

Source: History of Milwaukee County, 1881

 

DR. THOMAS HATCHARD

FOUR YEARS EACH
HATCHARD AND WIFE SENTENCED
Verdict for Manslaughter Prounounced Upon Them
Milwaukee, July 29,--Dr. Thomas Hatchard and his wife, who were convicted of manslaughter in performing a fatal criminal operation on Minnie Beardsley, were each sentenced this morning to four years imprisonment in the state's prison.

The Wisconsin State Journal Milwaukee Wisconsin July 29, 1890

 

JEREMIAH HAVELICK

Jeremiah Havelick, one of the most prominent marine engineers of Milwaukee, Wis., received his first license in 1863, granted by inspector Guthrie of the Cleveland district, and but for a lapse of two years while he was working ashore, at a time when the United States Government charged the marine engineers a fee of $10 for permission to follow their profession, he would now have been able to number thirty-five issues. He also has Canadian license covering four years. Mr. Havelick, who was born October 1, 1835, near Sandusky, Erie Co., Ohio, is a man of great strength and endurance, and is in remarkable evidence of the blessings of a temperate and wholesome mode of life. He may be numbered among the patriarchs of the marine engineers fraternity, and is honored and esteemed as such. The blood of the brotherhood is brave in his veins, and his fine fellowship ever mingles with the free spirit of his generosity. He is the son of Americans for many generations, his forefathers being natives of Pennsylvania, as were also his parents, Malachi and Elizabeth Havelick, who became pioneers of Erie county, Ohio, away back in the early "forties," locating and improving a large tract of land. In 1857 the father moved still farther west, this time locating on the Little Wapposa river, in Chickasaw county, Iowa.

Very early in life, that is, when he was but nine years old, Jerry, as he is familiarly known, commenced to paddle his own canoe, and his opportunities to attend the public schools were therefore limited, as were also the number of schoolhouses. His first experience on the lakes was in 1845, in the little schooner Presto, and the captain, taking a liking to Jerry, kept him two seasons. Following this he was employed a season each in the schooner Echo and barkentine Naiad, and for four months the next season he filled the position of decksweep on the passenger steamer Western World. In 1849 he shipped before the mast in a schooner engaged in trading with the Indians as a coaster on Lakes Huron and Michigan, remaining in her two years, and as there were but three of a crew he was first mate the second season, being stronger than the other boy. He also sailed in the schooners Challenge and La Petite as second mate and mate, respectively, and as mate of the schooner Eveline Bates. He passed one summer in pound-net fishing near the Beavers for Ryan & Johnson. In the winter of 1852 Mr. Havelick walked from Sandusky to Columbus, Ohio, where he went to work in a blacksmith shop, afterward passing two years on a farm in Oxford township, Erie Co., Ohio. On his return to Sandusky he entered the employ of G.W. Olds as an apprentice to the machinist's trade, continuing thus for two and a half years, during which time he helped to build and set up the engine for the steamer Island Queen, a boat built of white cedar, which plied between Sandusky, Kelley's Island and Put-in-Bay; he ran this engine one summer. In the fall of 1861 he took up railroading on the Michigan Southern, from Cleveland to Toledo, and was locomotive engineer.

It was in the spring of 1863 that Mr. Havelick received his first license as marine engineer and was appointed chief of the side-wheel steamer Fort Sherman, plying between Sandusky, Fremont and contiguous ports. The next season he joined the propeller Mt. Vernon, as chief, following with a season each in the Morley and Saginaw, as chief. In 1867 he entered the employ of the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Co., as second engineer of the old steamer Morning Star, holding that office when she was sunk by collision with the barkentine Kirtland; some of the passengers and crew were rescued by the barkentine and others by the steamer R.N. Rice, the next morning. Mr. Havelick was then transferred to the North West as second engineer. The next year he became second engineer of the steamer Huron, and in 1869 chief of the B.F. Wade, after which he went tugging on the Detroit river as chief on the Vulcan and for two seasons each on the tugs George B. McClellan and O. Wilcox. In the spring of 1874 he was appointed chief of the passenger steamer Evening Star, plying between Detroit and White Rock, the next season going as chief of the steamer John A. Dix. He then went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Goodrich Transportation Company as chief engineer of the Oconto, closing the season in the Menominee. In 1879 he joined the steamer Forest City as chief engineer and retained that office five seasons. During the winter of 1880-81 he went to Green Bay and took the engines and machinery out of a Fox river steamer, putting them into the George Burnham, which he brought out new and ran for the season. That winter he went to Natchez, Miss., as master mechanic in the interest of E.P. Allis, to superintend the erection of engines and test boilers, which occupied him until June, when he returned to Milwaukee and was appointed chief engineer of the steamer Columbia, commanded by Capt. J.D. Peterson. In the spring of 1883 he joined the steamer Burnham as chief and after laying her up at the close of navigation took charge of the engine and machinery in the "Plankinton Hotel" in Milwaukee. On January 17, 1884, Mr. Havelick was appointed to the responsible position which he has since held, chief engineer of the engines and machinery of the Manigold Milling Company, in Milwaukee. During the many years that Mr. Havelick has been in charge of marine and stationary engines he has gained the utmost confidence and given universal satisfaction, and he is rated as standing at the head of his profession.

Mr. Havelick and Miss Mary Pierce, daughter of Eliza Pierce, of Huron, Ohio, formerly of West Virginia, were united in marriage on January 28, 1857, and one son, Frank, has been born to them. The family homestead is at No. 443 Third avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Socially Mr. Havelick is a Master Mason, and he is also a member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, of Milwaukee Lodge No. 9, of which body he has been chosen treasurer for the last two terms.

Source: History of the Great Lakes, Vol. 2 by J.B. Mansfield

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ALEXANDER J. HELLER

Alexander J. Heller, M. D., No. 417 Mitchell street, is the son of Joseph and Palaga (Pawinski) Heller, both natives of Posen, Germany. The former came to the United States in 1866, locating in Milwaukee on Oct. 31, of that year, and there he began his business life as a merchant in the dry goods and grocery line, continuing in this business until his death, Dec. 18, 1887.

He married in Milwaukee, his wife having come to the city in 1868, at the age of fourteen, as a member of her father's family. After the death of her husband she continued the business, and is still a resident of the city. All of the four children born into the family are living.

Alexander J., born in Milwaukee, Feb. 21, 1878, obtained his elementary education in the public and parochial schools of the city, and his higher education at Marquette College, entering the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Milwaukee for his technical and professional training. He was graduated at the last-named institution on May 11, 1901, and immediately began the practice of his profession in his native city. He is a member of the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin State Medical societies. On Nov. 4, 1901, he was married to Miss Mary Bartkowiak, daughter of Peter and Josephine (Pisczek) Bartkowiak, of Milwaukee, and to the union two children, Witold and Thadeus, have been born.

 

LEONARD HELMINIAK

Leonard Helminiak, 83, who took his family's candy company and made Quality Candy Shoppes into a big business based on respect, vision, warmth and chocolate. He also purchased Buddy Squirrel of Wisconsin. Production now stands at nearly 1 million pounds of chocolate and nut treats each year, proving it a sweet recipe for success. Helminiak died July 28 of complications from strokes.

 

HENRY HERMAN

Source: The Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) 1903 April 16

BIG MILWAUKEE COLLAPSE

Financier and Capitalist Has Disappeared-The Statement

Milwaukee-Wis. April 16-Henry Herman, financier, capitalist and promoter of vast enterprises, has not been seen at his office since last Saturday, and, according to his creditors, he has left behind him an indebtedness aggregating $600,000. Whether he will return to the city or not is a matter of conjecture, but that there is a shortage in his "accounts as assignee of the Plankinton bank of $37,000 is admitted by his friends, while the number of creditors he has left behind him is unknown. Connected with his leaving the city there are a number of rumors, but that many of his checks have been refused payment, that his affairs are hopelessly involved, and that he is a bankrupt, is known to those who are familiar with his transactions. It is also alleged that the claims of his private creditors in Milwaukee will reach not less than$?00,00; that several duplicate and irregular mortgages are in existence, and that others which have been paid have been sold again by Mr. Herman as genuine.

At his office in the Herman building it was stated that he had left Sunday for New York city, saying he would return Friday or Saturday, and that the purpose of his trip was to make arrangements to raise money and secure other financial aid. E.H. Raymond, who has been for many years mr. Herman's confidential clerk, and has been familiar with his numerous enterprises, said last night that Mr. Heran had tod him he would be back Friday or Saturday at the latest, and that he had confidence that he would return.

Henry Herman is forty-two years old and comes of New England stock, having been born in Augusta, Me. he lived there with his father and mother until they removed to Milwaukee, when he was about ten years of age. His parents were in poor circumstances and he grew up in the Ninth ward, where he attended public school. He was always quick to learn. His powers of observation are said to be remarkable. He had the faculty of making friends rapidly.

He started out as an office boy in the employ of David G. Powers in 1877. Mr. Powers was engaged in the real estate business which consisted in the main of buying up tax titles. Mr. Herman remained in the employ of Mr. Powers until January, 1883, when the latter lost his life in the Newhall house fire, where he was a regular border [sic]. Mr. Herman then engaged in the purchase of tax titles and became the Milwaukee agent of Cook & Hyde, the owners and operators of a stone quarry at Waukesha. His first transaction of any magnitude was made in connection with the quarrymen, and consisted in the erection of the Belvedere flats, Grand avenue and Eighth street, at a cost of $50,000.

 

DR. HEWITT

Source: The Medical History of Milwaukee, By Louis Frederick Frank. Published 1915. Germania Publishing Co.

But little is known of Dr. Hewitt's early history, though it is believed he came from New York, arriving in Milwaukee in 1835. He has been described as a man of genial disposition, affable manner and a "somewhat erratic member of the profession." However, he built up a lucrative practice, a fact due no doubt to his personal popularity as much as to his professional ability. He was a member of the Episcopal church and was one of the first wardens of St. Paul's, but some years later he became a Roman Catholic. Rudolph Koss in his history of Milwaukee relates that, when the Episcopalian church, holding services in a two-story building on the north-east corner of East Water and Wisconsin streets, was unable on account of the hard times in 1837 to raise a salary of $2,000 for their pastor, John Noble, Dr. Hewitt officiated at the divine services. His ideas regarding practice underwent a change. For a number of years after coming to Milwaukee he was a staunch advocate of the "regular school" and was honored with the presidency of the Milwaukee Medical Association. Not long after this he began to use the methods of the homoepathists in his practice and was finally dismissed from the association. He died in 1848.

 

ROBERT HILL

Source:Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County (1909), By Jerome Anthony Watrous

Robert Hill, deceased, late of 768 Cass street, Milwaukee, Wis., long known as one of the distinguished citizens of the Cream City, and a prominent merchant and financier, was descended from a sturdy line of Scotch ancestors. He was born in Edinborough, Scotland, on Jan. 18, 1841, the son of John and Agnes (Reed) Hill. His father was manager for a number of years of the Scottish Property Investment Co, at Edinborough, but in October, 1856, resigned his position as such, and came to the United States with his family.

Robert was only a lad of fifteen when he accompanied his parents to the United States in 1856. Prior to leaving the old country he had received an excellent training in a private school in Edinborough, but he did not again have an opportunity to attend school. When he reached Milwaukee, in 1856, he was first employed by Mr. Sholes of the old "Milwaukee Free Democrat," prominent in the ante-bellum period for its anti-slavery principles, its bitter opposition to the fugitive slave law. And its connection with the ''Glover incident." Mr. Hill later went to Horicon, Dodge County. Wis., where he was employed as station agent for the C. M. & St. P. R. R. He remained here for some time and then entered the service of William Smith & Co., wholesale grocers of Chicago, as traveling salesman, he was engaged in this occupation at the outbreak of the civil war. Like thousands of other young men of that period, he was imbued with patriotic zeal and an intense love of liberty. He promptly organized a company of volunteers at Burlington, Wis., which subsequently became Company "C", of the First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and of which he was commissioned captain. He afterwards served on the staff of Gen. Henry M. Negley, serving in the armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee, and was honorably discharged from the service in August, 1862. Captain Hill was subsequently instrumental in the organization of the Light Horse Squadron, of Milwaukee, whose armory is situated on Broadway.

In 1862, after severing his connection with the army, he went to Virginia City, Montana, where he was recorded of claims until the fall of 1865. Returning to Milwaukee in November of that year, he became confidential clerk for the wholesale drygoods house of Sexton Bros., and upon the death of Lester Sexton, he became a member of the firm, then known as Storm, Hill & Co. In 1881 the company moved its headquarters to Chicago and carried on an extensive and profitable business at that point until the year 1892. Meanwhile. Mr. Hill resided with his family at Evanston, Ill. In 1892 the firm sold out its business to Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., and Mr. Hill returned once more to Milwaukee in 1894. Mr. Hill was a man of extraordinary business sagacity and indefatigable industry, qualities which brought him success and rendered him a power in the business and financial world. He assisted in the organization of the Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee, of which he was a director and vice-president. After some eight months of active connection with this important financial institution, he decided to retire from all active business pursuits, and thereafter devoted his leisure to rest and recreation. He traveled extensively at home and abroad up to the time of his death, which took place on July 3, 1906. He was a man of large affairs, and among his other important interests, was the Milwaukee Cold Storage Co., of which he was principal owner, and of which his son, John a., has long been the active manager.

As a young man Mr. Hill belonged to the Republican party in politics, but joined the Democratic party at the time of Cleveland's first nomination for the presidency. He was a man of too independent a character ever to be a subservient party worshipper, and in his political views was always guided by principles rather than by parties or men, thereby exhibiting true patriotism. His charities were of a wide and generous nature, though he dispensed them without ostentation, and his many philanthropies were seldom heralded abroad.

Mr. Hill was married on June 6, 1866, to Miss Jennie A., daughter of Abram and Jane A. (Barnard) Rorick, of Wauwatosa, Wis. They were blessed with five children. Of whom four have grown to maturity, and with their mother, are still living. The children were: Robert P.. Who now resides in Fort Worth, Texas; John A., manager of the Milwaukee Cold Storage Co. ; Lucy, wife of James Ellis Briggs, of New York city ; Edna, who died at the tender age of five years ; and George B., who is a graduate of the agricultural department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. Mr. Hill was very prominent in the Masonic Order, and was the recipient of many of its highest honors. He was also a member of the loyal legion and of e. B. Wolcott Post No. 1, G. A. R., of Milwaukee. He was a man of broad and catholic tastes, absolutely just and honorable in all his business dealings, affable and courteous in his intercourse with others, and of clean and unblemished private life. His reputation as a man and citizen was of the very highest, while his fine business abilities commanded the respect of all his associates.

 

REV. ADOLPH HOENECKE,

Rev. Adolph Hoenecke pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthaeus Church, was born February 25, 1835, in Brandenburg on Havel, Prussia; received his classical education in his native city, and his theological education in the University of Halle, on the Saale; was ordained in 1862 in Magdeburg, Germany; came to the United States in 1863, and settled in Farmington, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, and then located in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he preached three years, and was also Professor in the German University. In the Summer of 1870 he was called to the pastorate of his present charge. Since the Fall of 1877 he has been Professor of Dogmatic Theology in the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Synod of Wisconsin, also performing full pastoral duties. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northwestern University at Watertown. He was married in 1865 to Miss Matilda Hess, daughter of a clergyman of Canton Berne, Switzerland. They have six children, all at home. He has a good library of standard theological works, many of them being of quite ancient date. He is a successful teacher and devoted pastor."

Source: Western Historical Publication Co's. History of Milwaukee County 1881

 

HENRY HOERL

HENRY HOERL, for many years a prominent figure in the brewing circles of Milwaukee, has achieved his prominence through untiring energetic effort. He is of German descent and was born at Altdorf, Bavaria, Germany, April 26, 1854, the son of George and Anna (Funck) Hoerl, natives of the famous old city of Nuremberg. Henry, the subject of this review, received his education in the elementary schools of his native city and then took a course in the high school. After finishing his studies he was employed in breweries in Germany for several years. He served with distinction in the German army as sergeant of artillery of a Munich regiment. Ambitious to rise in the world and recognizing the great possibilities and advantages offered in this country to young men of energy and determination, he left his home in 1878, when twenty-four years of age, and set out for the new world, entering upon a career in the course of which he encountered many disappointments, to ultimately reap the reward of honest efforts in abundant prosperity. Soon after landing in New York he found employment in the breweries there and took the brewmaster's course in the New York Brewing Academy, winning the first prize in 1886. This brought him into prominence among the brewing men of the city and he secured an excellent position. In 1892 he moved to Milwaukee to become superintendent of the Valentine Blatz Brewing Company and has made their beer famous. On June 4, 1878, Mr. Hoerl married Katherine, the daughter of Michael and Katherine (Neuner) Strobel, of Albany, N.Y. Four children have come to bless this union: Emil, who is the proprietor of the Germania brewery in Altoona, Pa.; Jenny, John M., who resides in Milwaukee, and Annie, the wife of George Schott, who runs a cooperage works in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hoerl are communicants of the Lutheran church, to which their ancestors have belonged for many generations. Mr. Hoerl is affiliated with the Masonic Order, having taken the Blue Lodge, the Chapter, Knights Templar and consistory degrees, and he is alos a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a popular member of the Deutscher Club, the Millioki Club, the Milwaukee Music Verein and the West Side Turn Verien.

Memoirs of Milwaukee County by Jerome Anthony Watrous, 1909 PG 279

 

MISS MARY ELIZABETH HOLLIDAY

DAR Member
Descendant of James Brooks

Gr.-gr.-granddaughter of:
James Brooks
to: and Mary Johnson

Child of James and Mary Brooks:
	Cornelius Brooks
	to: Miss Henshaw

Child of Cornelius Brooks:
	Rachel Brooks
	to: Daniel Sterling

Child of Daniel and Rachel Sterling:
	Mary B. Sterling

 

PETER A. HOLTZ

Source:Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County (1909), By Jerome Anthony Watrous

Peter A. Holtz, retired, who for many years was one of Milwaukee's most prominent business men, was born in Gusten, Julich Aachen, Germany, on Feb. 10,1840. He is a son of Theodore A. Holtz and Maria S. (Guesen) Holtz, both native Germans. His paternal grandfather was a prominent brewer of the Fatherland.

Peter A. Holtz, the subject of this review, received his education career there. In 1868 he came to Milwaukee direct from Germany, and for a period of five years was engaged in various occupations. In 1873 he formed a partnership with a Mr. Miller under the firm name of Miller & Holtz and from that time until his retirement in 1895 he conducted a model saloon and restaurant at the corner of West Water Street and Grand avenue, known as "Best's Corner." Politically Mr. Holtz is allied with the Democratic Party, but never has aspired to public office. His religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church, and his children have all been Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Holtz's marriage to Miss Augusta, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Sutermann) Lechner, occurred in November 1877. Four children came to bless this union. Peter C., the eldest, is a clerk in the abstract office in courthouse. John is connected with the Philip Jung Brewing Company. Gabella and Alexander are at home. The Holtz home at 253 Queen Anne Place is one of the most sightly and homelike residences in the city.

 

JOHN HOOSIER

Hoosier John, as he was called, was a curious specimen of humanity. He was one of those waifs, so to speak, often found floating around the frontier, that like Melchisedec, would seem to have had neither father or mother. He had arms of great length, feet of immense size, and a head soggy enough for a supervisor; he was also slow of speech and movement, except upon the occasion referred to, when his movements were quick enough.

Some of the boys had given him thirty-six grains of calomel, as the Irishman would say, "unbeknownst to him," one-half of which would have killed any common man, the operation of which created quite a sensation in his immediate vicinity. The joke of it was in his not knowing that he had taken anything, and that, when asked what ws the matter, replied that he had the overflow of the gall. Well, I think he had, and a bad one. He left in the Spring of '38, the country having got too thickly settled for him.

Source: Pioneer History Of Milwaukee by James S. Buck, 1876 Vol. 1

 

NELS HOUGAARD

Nels Hougaard until long after he had arrived at man’s estate, was a resident of Denmark, but like many other of his countrymen who had learned of the country across the waters – America – he bade adieu to the home of his childhood, and twelve years ago landed in New York, and later became an employee in the Blatz brewery in Milwaukee. Six months afterward he came into Oconto county and for about a year and a half worked for Anson Eldred. He took up a homestead and after he had proved up sold it to John Carlson and bought a quarter section of land of Banker Mittelstedt of Seymour, and later an eighty adjoining, and in the past five years he and his boys have cleared forty five acres out of the heaviest kind of timber. He is a resident of Maple Valley.

Source: Oconto County Reporter carried in the Milwaukee Journal later that year May/1898

 

EMERSON D. HOYT

Candidate for City of Wauwatosa
Emerson D. Hoyt, Republican candidate for mayor, well known resident of Wauwatosa, active in community affairs and well equipped to fill any public office. He was born in Wauwatosa, which has always been his home. He has been the Mayor of Wauwatosa since the village became a city in 1897.

Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899

 

OTIS HUBBARD

This man was noted for his profanity, in which vice, he certainly surpassed all the men I ever knew. He was a very smart man, and could, when he would, be a perfect gentleman; but when his passion was roused, he would go through the street for hours, pouring forth such a torrent of blasphemy, as was awful to hear. The boys would stand in silence, until he had passed; even the dogs gave him the sidewalk, and men who made no pretensions of godliness, would flee his presence. These fits of passion would sometimes last for a week. Many thought him insane. He has been dead for many years.

Source: Pioneer History Of Milwaukee by James S. Buck, 1876 Vol. 1

 

FRANCIS HUEBSCHMANN

Source: The Medical History of Milwaukee, By Louis Frederick Frank. Published 1915. Germania Publishing Co.

Public-spirited citizen, upholder of personal rights, military surgeon, promoter of education.

Dr. Francis Huebschmann was the first German physician to come to Milwaukee, which up to this date had been largely populated by settlers from the Eastern States, distinctively a community of Americans. He was born in Saxy- Weimar, April 19th, 1817, and was graduated from the University of Jena in 1841, arriving in Milwaukee in 1842 after vain attempts to find a sphere of action in his native country. Of impulsive temperament and infatuated with the excitement of political life he soon participated in all public affairs and became a leader among his fellow-countrymen. Already after one year he was elected school commissioner, which position he held for eight years. On March 22nd, 1843, with Father Kundig he led the grand procession in celebration of the first government appropriation to improve the Milwaukee harbor.

With Mathias Stein and Edward Wiesner he made a count of the Germans and found 7 in number, the following year increased to 13, against 400 Irishmen. His object was to secure to foreigners equal rights with Americans in the constitution about to be adopted, which otherwise would have excluded one third of the territorial population. He became the champion opponent and succeeded in spite of the strongest opposition to be elected as delegate with eleven Democrats and one Whig, John H. Tweedy. The election franchise was the great question and Dr. Huebschmann won his point. His chief opponent said : "G — d d — m the Dutchman ! but he is right anyhow and I'll vote with him on account of his talents!" In 1848 and 1852 he was presidential elector-at-large. In consideration of his valuable services President Pierce in 1853 appointed him superintendent of Indian affairs, which position he held until 1857; he had charge of the northern district which comprised New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and several states.

When the civil war broke out he received a commission as surgeon of the 26th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, mainly composed of German-born Milwaukeeans; later as Brigade-Surgeon, he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Dallas and Atlanta. At Gettysburg he with nine assistants and 500 wounded was held prisoner of war for three days. Though rather brusque by nature he enjoyed the respect and love of both men and officers, as a conservative surgeon and warm-hearted friend. As a public-spirited citizen he took an active interest in all civic affairs. He assisted Moritz Schoeffler in establishing the well-known German paper " Der Banner". He, with Fritz Annecke, subsequently colonel of the 34th Wisconsin, and Dr. Luening, became one of the founders of "Engelmann's School", today well-known as the "German-English Academy". He, with E. G. Ryan, later the chief-justice, Nov. 29th, 1853, were the leading speakers at a reception in honor of Gottfried Kinkel, the hero of the Baden revolution, liberated from the prison of Spandau by Carl Schurz. With Rufus King (father of General Charles King), Theo. Wettstein, Chas. Wendt and Jacob Mahler, he was one of the organizers of the Milwaukee Musical Society. In 1852 he served as alderman and in 1860 was acting mayor under William Pitt Lynde. Whatever affected the people at large, social questions of every nature and the welfare of the community found in him a willing, unsolicited worker. Such men are rare, nor can their value in a body politic, not yet firmly established, be too highly appreciated. No better portrayal of this remarkable man's character and career exists than in the closing words of an excellent monograph by Robert "Wild, A. B., LL. B., of the Milwaukee County Bar ( Wisconsin, its Story and Biography by Ellis Baker Usher) : " In the memory of those who knew him, and for the historical student, Dr. Huebschmann is a representative man of his generation. Originality and force of character, moral and physical courage, natural eloquence, vigor of thought, sense of duty, the "noblesse oblige" of the scholar and the gentleman — these were the ingredients of this remarkable personality. His learning, his patriotism, his statesmanship, are historical elements in the development of Milwaukee and the state."

Dr. Huebschmann was twice married, his first wife, a daughter of D. Upmann, being one of the first victims of the cholera Asiatica in 1849; in 1852 he married a daughter of a well-known German pioneer, John Hess. He lived to be 63 years old, dying suddenly March 21st, 1880.

 

D.L. HUNTER

Candidate for Town of Wauwatosa

D.L. Hunter, Republican candidate for constable, was a popular deputy sheriff for the past four years. He resides in the Silver City section of the city and is active in Republican circles. He would make a well qualified and ready official.

Source: Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899

 

EDWIN HYDE

Source:Memoirs of Milwaukee County : from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Milwaukee County (1909), By Jerome Anthony Watrous

Edwin Hyde, retired, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Milwaukee, where for more than half a century he has been an influence "for good", was born in England on June 8, 1828. He is the only surviving child of the five born to Peter and Harriet (Harris) Hyde. His mother died when he was but three years old, and the father passed away in 1871. The father was a carpenter and builder by trade and his death occurred shortly after his son had crossed the Atlantic to make him a visit.

Edwin Hyde received the limited educational advantages afforded by the common schools of England, and in 1857 came to the United States, being the only member of the family to leave the native land. After a year spent in Chicago he removed to Milwaukee and formed a partnership for the purpose of dealing in cut stone, under the firm name of Cook & Hyde. For more than forty years this firm did business, and although it started in a small way it soon grew to immense proportions and it became necessary to establish a branch office at Minneapolis. Minn. In 1898 Mr. Hyde retired from active participation in commercial life and has since been enjoying a well-earned respite after a life of industry. In 1871 he was elected a trustee of the Northwestern Mutual life Insurance Company, and is today, with the exception of Henry l. Palmer, the oldest member of the board of trustees of that institution. Always a Republican in his political views, he has done much to bring about the success of that party and has several times been the successful candidate for office. He has served a number of years in the city council, first in 1860, and in 1866 was elected to represent his district in the lower house of the state legislature. He refused re-election the following year, but served again in the sessions of 1877 and 1878, and in 1879 and in 1880 was a member of the state senate.

Mr. Hyde has been for a great many years a devout member of the Grand Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, and has served many times in the capacity of lay preacher. He has the unique record of having officiated at more weddings and more funerals than any other local preacher of the denomination. In 1863 at the Waukesha conference he was elected as one of the deacons, and in 1870 at the Janesville conference of the church he was elected to position of elder. At the present time he is vice-president of the board of trustees of the Grand Avenue church, and devotes a large portion of his time to the duties of that office. He was chairman of the building committee which erected the fine new edifice which the congregation now occupies. He has always been intensely interested in Sunday school work and is the incumbent of the office of superintendent of the sabbath school, having served in that position for nearly thirty-four years. In the early sixties he preached in the Oak Creek Congregational Church some months to help out, and he preached in almost all localities in early years; consequently he has a large following of friends among the pioneers. He was a close friend of Rev. Mr. Underwood, the pioneer preacher. He was an active worker in the organization known as the Milwaukee County bible society.

During the busy years of his life Mr. Hyde has found time to devote to missionary work and charitable institutions' and by his activity in this direction he has exerted a remarkable influence in causing others to substantially contribute to these movements. His efforts have been seconded by many men who are not members of the church.