Milwaukee County
Online Genealogy and Family History Library
Biographies and Family Information
Includes Marriages, Births, Confirmations, Baptisms
Milwaukee County Wisconsin Genealogy
To facilitate your search the surnames have been cross indexed.
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OSCAR A. KAISER
OSCAR A. KAISER, the genial proprietor of Kaiser's Hair Bazaar, at the corner of Mason and Milwaukee streets, is a son of Adam and Amelia (Schultz) Kaiser, and was born in this city on March 8, 1876. The father was born in Germany in 1839 and the mother in Milwaukee in 1846, and the former is one of the oldest cigarmakers in the city, now conducting factory No. 134 in this city in the same place that he has had for thirty-one years. Oscar A. Kaiser received his primary education in the public schools in Milwaukee and laid the foundation for a business career by a course in the Spencerian Business College. At the age of fifteen years he entered the Merchants' Exchange Bank as a messenger and clerk and was afterward employed in a similar capacity in the First National Bank. In 1900 he purchased the business which now occupies him, which was established in 1888. His enterprise, thrift and sterling integrity have built up for him a large and lucrative business, which is increasing in size from year to year. In politics, Mr. Kaiser is independent of any political affiliation, preferring to exercise his right of suffrage as his conscience and judgment dictate rather than be hampered by party allegiance. In a business and social way he is identified with the Milwaukee Musical Society, the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Association and the Milwaukee Concertina Club. His religious relations are with Trinity German Lutheran church of which he is a devout and loyal member. On Sept. 5, 1900, Mr. Kaiser was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Emma Hahn, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Maas) Hahn, of Milwaukee. For the past twenty-five years Mr. Hahn has conducted one of the largest bakeries in the city at Seventeenth and Chestnut streets. To Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser was born in 1908, a son, Arthur Oscar.
Memoirs of Milwaukee County by Jerome Anthony Watrous, 1909 pg. 180
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DR. FERDINAND KALKHOFF
Source: The Medical History of Milwaukee, By Louis Frederick Frank. Published 1915. Germania Publishing Co.
Dr. Ferdinand Kalkhoff was born in Duisdorf, Germay, April 18, 1805, and received his medial education at the University of Bonn. He came to the United States in 1839 and practised his profession for three years at Fort Wayne, Ind. He removed to Milwaukee in 1843, where he practised for several years when he entered the drug business which he followed until his death in 1872.
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SHIRLEY KAUL
Shirley Kaul, 73, who founded Cedarburg's Cure for Cabin Fever antique show, held each January. A longtime Cedarburg resident, Kaul evolved from antique collector to dealer and then shop owner. "What drew her to antiques was not the actual product but the hands that once made the product," said daughter-in-law Kolleen Kaul. Shirley Kaul died of emphysema Feb. 3 in Florida.
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IGNATZ KAUTZA
Ignatz Kautza came to America on the ship "UNION' which sailed from the Port of Bremen to New York and arrived 21 August 1856, which was Ignatz's 50th birthday. His occupation was listed as blacksmith, and the country from which they were traveling was listed as Germany and the city was listed as ALTSTADT in the Province of Anhalt, and their destination was listed as Wisconsin. Traveling with them were his wife Catharina, age 50 years; Johann age 24 years, and his occupation was listed as blacksmith; Johanna age 21 years, and her occupation was listed as servant; Mathias age 18 years and his occupation was listed as cartwright; Franz age 15 years and his occupation was listed as blacksmith; Anton age 7 years; and Martin age 6 years. ( This information was located in the book "Germans to America" Volume 10, Edited by Ira A. Glazier and P. William Filby.)The family settled in the Milwaukee area between 3rd and 4th street. Ignatz filed his 'Intent for Citizenship' in Milwaukee, and the original paper is on file at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. The paper was filed on 3 November 1857. It confirms that he emigrated to the United States, and landed at the Port of New York in the month of August 1856.
About six years later, they moved to the St. Nazianz area to farm. They settled west of St. Nazianz, near a saw mill which was called "Slab City". (Valders, is the name of the town that was originally called, "Slab City".)
For more information on the Ignatz Kautza Family please see this website.
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THOMAS KAUTZA
Thomas Kautza came to Wisconsin about ten or eleven years after the rest of the family. He was married in Prussia, and their first son, Frank was born in Breslau, Germany ,(which is Wroclaw, Poland today) on the 28 July 1866. Their second son, Edward Kautza, was born in the town of Eaton 9 August 1868. According to the St. Gregory's Church records, he was the first Kautza/Kautzer, to be baptized at St. Nazianz, Manitowoc County.
Thomas is believed to have been in the Army in Prussia, as he certainly had to serve if he lived there. It is believed that he left Germany after his discharge from the war of 1866.
Josepha Botha, his wife, came from an aristocratic family that had lots of money. Her parents did not want her to marry Tom, but she did anyway, (they ran away and got married). She was born 11 Mar. 1842 at Ober Slersinger, Prussia, the daughter of Jacob Botha.
The St. Gregory Church records(Manitowoc County) state that Thomas was 48 years old at the time of his death. He died on the same day and year, that his brother Mathias died, and it was 5 years to the day, that their father had died. There was no cause of death on the death certificate. On Mathias' death certificate, it stated he
died of "Delerian Tremors".
Thomas filed his Intent to become a Naturalized Citizen on Oct. 28, 1868.
Notes for JOSEPHA BOTHA:
After Thomas died, their sons built a house for their mother in the town of Eaton. Later, she moved to Hewitt to live with her son Frank and his wife until her death. She died at Hewitt 13 July 1903. She is buried on the Catholic Cemetery at Hewitt, WI.
Thomas and Josepha had three sets of twins in the family, but only one person lived. She was Mary Kautza who married Oscar Freund. Anna Barnard gave me this information. She was a daughter of Tom.
Josepha Botha, Tom's wife, came from an Aristocratic family that had lots of money. Her parents did not want her to marry Tom, but she did anyway (they ran away and got married.) Josepha was therefore dis-inherited by her parents. When asked later on why she did marry Tom, she told them that Tom was a good dancer and she loved to dance. Some think that the "Kautzer" name was changed so that Josepha's parents would not be able to find her. I personally do not believe that, as the name was listed as "Kautzer" very early in the Milwaukee directory - about 1863 - before Tom was ever married, or living in the US.
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MATTHEW KEENAN
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
Matthew Keenan.-Among the many brave and enterprising immigrants who sought the friendly shores of the United States in the latter part of the Eighteenth and the early part of the Nineteenth centuries, seeking here that freedom of worship and opportunity denied them in Ireland, the land of their forefathers, men whose families first settled in New York and afterwards came to Wisconsin, were the Keenans, who reached Milwaukee in 1837. The family consisted of the father, James Keenan, his wife and three children: Catherine, Margaret and Matthew. The last, our subject, was born on Jan. 26, 1825, at Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y. The parents were natives of New York, where the father was a farmer for many years, after which he resolved to push farther west and chose Milwaukee as his destination ; but both he and his wife died soon after reaching the straggling aggregation of huts and crude houses that then constituted the village which was destined within the lifetime of our subject to be one of the great cities of the United States, the present city of Milwaukee.
Our subject was an only son, and by the death of his parents became a bread winner for his two sisters. At this time in Milwaukee opportunities for receiving an education were very limited, but if they had been good this poor orphan boy could not well have availed himself of them. He was twelve years of age when he reached the village, and his meager schooling was gained by a few months' attendance in a room of what was commonly called Juneau court-house; but, as he was afterwards wont to say with pardonable pride, he was self-educated, and in this as in everything else to which he turned his hands during a long and eventful life, he did his work well, for he was generally considered a man of refinement and scholarly attainments.
His first employment was in 1839, when he became a clerk in a dry-goods store kept by a William Brown, Jr., which store he and a friend purchased later, prosecuting the business under the firm name of Hayden & Keenan until 1852, when he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court, in which his services were so superbly satisfactory that he was elected for four terms of two years each. Previous to this he had studied law and was admitted to practice. In 1863 he was elected city tax commissioner and then he inaugurated a system in that office which was badly needed, which system is in vogue there till this day. He held this office six years. In 1869 he represented the Seventh ward in the city council, and so eminently satisfactory were his services there that notwithstanding the fact of the district being strongly Republican and he a Democrat, he was elected, in 1871, a member of the legislature by that constituency. During that session he became the father of the present water-works laws, and when the water-works commission was chosen he was made secretary and superintendent, serving two years and until the plant was in successful operation, and then he resigned. During his incumbency the present water tower was planned and built by him. Here again he did his duty well, and, though his hands are now at rest, his labors honor him still. In 1871 he was elected trustee of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Here also his versatile genius and ability as an organizer became apparent, and, in 1874, he was chosen to fill the highly important position of superintendent of agencies of that great institution. In 1876 he was elected vice-president of that company, and was at the same time given control of the investment of its funds, which then amounted to many millions of dollars. He continued to administer that critical department until 1894, and to his sagacity is attributable the present splendid system for loaning funds that is used by that corporation, which is said to be the safest and best of any company in the country. By careful investments he accumulated quite a fortune, but he quietly distributed a goodly sum fur charity. While engaged in large matters his services were so coveted by his fellow citizens, who delighted to honor him, that he was compelled to carry concurrently many minor places. He was vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce during 1869 and '70 and represented this city at the meeting of the National Board of Trade, which was held in Richmond, Va., in 1870. From 1876 to 1879 he was chosen a regent of the University of Wisconsin; he served as trustee of the Young Men's Library Association and laid the foundations of the movement that later resulted in the building of the Milwaukee Public Library; and he was trustee also of that institution for several years. He was a lover of books and an omnivorous reader.
The establishment of the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee is credited to him by those conversant with the facts. It seems that the committee having charge of the selection of a site for the home had been beset with troubles, prices asked for land seemed abnormally high, and it was about to depart and choose another location. At this juncture someone suggested that Mr. Keenan could solve the problem and cut the Gordian knot. At 2 o'clock one morning he was aroused from his slumbers and an appeal was made to him to come to the city's rescue. He took hold of the matter with such skill and intelligence that before the next day's sun was set he had brushed aside all difficulties and secured the location of the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee.
On June 28, 1840, he married .Miss Antoinette A., daughter of Martin and Aurelia Griswold Hayden, of Otsego county. N. Y., whose father and mother were born in Windsor. Conn., coming afterward to Cooperstown, N. Y., and later, in 1847, to Milwaukee, where the father died a few months later, leaving his widow and daughter surviving him. Mr. Keenan and wife had no children.
On Aug. 28, 1898, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, this upright man and valuable citizen quietly and unfalteringly entered "the valley of the shadow" to surrender to his Maker the garnered sheaves of a well-spent life, confidently expectant of the benediction divine. He -was a man who, unlike what is said of the prophet, was most honored and respected v here he was best known. In religion he was a devout Roman Catholic, in politics a Democrat, but in every relation of life, from trying poverty to fair affluence, he was broad-minded, public-spirited, courteous and kind, a wise counsellor, a true friend, a loving husband and a model citizen.
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REV. DAVID KEENE
Husband’s Notes...
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Baptisms Solomnized in the Parish of Banwell in the County of Somerset in the Year 1820.
p. 42
Date Born: 1820
When Baptized: 16 April 1820 (No. 336)
Child: David (Son of)
Parents Name: Francis KEENE Farmer Banwell Susanna
By Whom Ceremony performed: Joseph SMITH
SOMERSET ARCHIVE AND RECORD SERVICE SOMERSET RECORD OFFICE
Accession No: G/1740 Group Code: DD/SAS (including G/2084)
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BENNETT AND (( KEENE )) FAMILY OF BANWELL AND THE UNITED STATES
This collection chiefly comprises 19th century papers of members of the Bennett and (( KEENE )) families. George Bennett (1771-1834) was a solicitor in Axbridge, and resident at Land House, Rolston, Banwell. His antiquarian and topographical research interests are reflected in a number of illustrated handwritten volumes relating to the Banwell area. These interests were shared by two of his children, Alfred (1803-1837) and Clara (1808-1860), both of whom contributed illustrations. In addition, all three kept diaries which also survive in the collection.
George Bennett's sister, Susannah (1780-1831), married Francis ((Keene)) of Knightcott, Banwell, in 1806. One of their sons, the Revd David ((Keene)) (1820-1893), emigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later followed by other members of the ((Keene)) family. Thus, in addition to deeds relating to Knightcott and the ((Keene)) family, the collection includes correspondence between family and friends in the United States and England.
6. Correspondence
6/1 Correspondence to Revd David Keene (1820-1893)
6/1/1 1833 Letter of A Collings concerning recent conversion to Christianity of David Keene. (1 doc.)
6/1/2 1834 Letter of Alfred Bennett to his cousins [David and Aquila Keene] informing them of the death of his father George Bennett, with later typescript notes. (2 docs)
6/1/3 1835-1846 Correspondence of John, Peninnah and Penelope Derham. (7 docs)
6/1/4 1839-1893 Correspondence of Aquila Keene. (59 docs)
6/1/5 1840-1841 Correspondence of George William Bennett. (7 docs)
6/1/6 1840-1858 Correspondence of Mary and Clara Bennett. (16 docs)
6/1/7 1841-1851 Correspondence of Francis Keene to his son. (13 docs)
6/1/81841 Letter of Mary Gregory. (1 doc.)
6/1/9 1842 Correspondence of A Gation concerning ministry work. (2 docs)
6/1/10 1843, 1856 Correspondence of George, Fanny, and Lucy Lansdown of Over Stowey. (15 docs)
6/1/11 1852 Telegram concerning the death of Francis Keene, father of David Keene. (1 doc.)
6/1/12 1852 Letter of D G Rogers concerning the death of Francis Keene. (1 doc.)
6/1/13 1861-1866 Correspondence of John William Bennett.(3 docs)
6/1/14 1867 Letter of Annie [Sarah Anne Keene] to her uncle. (1 doc.)
6/1/15 1881-1886 Letter of Mary Keene to her uncle. (4 docs)
6/1/16 n.d. [c. 1880] Note of Mary Harrison. (1 doc.)
6/1/17 1882, 1892 Correspondence of Allie Say [Betsy Alexandra]. (5 docs)
6/1/18 1887-1889 Correspondence of Johanne Molluch to his friend. (12 docs)
6/1/19 n.d. [c. 1888] Letter of Mrs Keene [wife of Aquila]. (1 doc.)
10. Papers of the Bennett/Keene family
10/3 1833-1834 Admission certificate of David Keene into the Methodist Society, Banwell Circuit, and quarterly ticket for Dec. 1834. (2 docs)
10/7 1839 Poem of Aquila Keene entitled 'David Keene'. (2 docs)
10/13 1858 Licence of Revd David Keene to officiate at divine service at a church within the diocese of Bath and Wells, with typescript copy. (2 docs)
10/15c. 1885-1886 Photocopies of cuttings from Milwaukee newspapers concerning the 38th anniversary of the Episcopal church at Milwaukee, c.1885, and the resignation of rectorship by David Keene, c. 1886. (2 docs)
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A.F. KELLOGG
Candidate for City of Wauwatosa
A.F. Kellogg, Republican candidate for assessor, has been a resident of Wauwatosa for fourteen years. Before this time he lived on a farm in an adjoining town for many years. He is an active citizen and the present assessor, whose judgement of property values is good.
Source: Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899
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WALTER KEMPSTER, 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
Walter Kempster, M. D., of Milwaukee, Wis., is one of the most eminent physicians in the United States, but his record of patriotism during the dark days of the Civil War is no less worthy of commemoration in the annals of endeavor and achievement. He was born in London, England, May 25, 1841, son of Christopher and Charlotte (Treble) Kempster, and at an early age was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Syracuse, N. Y., about 1849. The father was a botanist and horticulturist of note, and he also gave a great deal of attention to questions relating to human progress, being active in the anti-slavery movement before the war, in prison reform work, and one of the earliest promoters of the Young Men's Christian Association.
The son received his preliminary education in the common and high schools of the city of Syracuse and then entered the Long Island College Hospital. The war clouds had gathered and the storm of fratricidal strife was upon the country before he had finished his professional course, but though he enlisted at the outbreak of hostilities he continued his studies while in the service by having chapters cut from medical books and sent to him in the field. He enlisted in April, 1861, in the Twelfth New York Infantry, known as the "Onondaga Regiment," which was mustered into the United States Service for a three months term at Elmira, N. Y., May 13, 1861. On May 29, it left for Washington and upon its arrival encamped upon Capitol Hill and in the White House grounds until July 10 when it was assigned to the Fourth Brigade, First Division of the Army of Northeastern Virginia, and marched to Chain Bridge. While camped in the White House grounds Dr. Kempster frequently saw and conversed with President Lincoln, the first interview making a lasting impression. Dr. Kempster was not robust at that time, and one day while standing on the steps of the White House, talking with the president's sons, Robert and "Tad", the great president came down the steps, put his hand on the doctor's head, turning his face upward, and after a few moments he said: "My boy, where did you come from" '' you ought not to be here; run in the house and play with the children." The sad expression that came into President Lincoln's face made an impression that has never been forgotten. The regiment was first under fire at Blackburn's Ford, July 18, 1861, losing thirty-two men. Dr. Kempster participated with his command in this engagement and the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, where his regiment was on the left and not engaged until the repulse of the right wing, when the Fourth Brigade held the Confederates in check and prevented them from occupying Centerville, holding that position until the panic-stricken army passed through, leaving Centerville about midnight. After the fight at Blackburn's Ford, Dr. Kempster was detailed from the ranks for service in the field hospital, the first of its kind in what afterward became the Army of the Potomac. Being mustered out of service in October, 1861, Dr. Kempster again enlisted in November, 1861, in the Tenth New York cavalry; the regiment bivouacked at Gettysburg during the Winter of 1861-2, and became familiar with all roads about that place, which was of much use to the cavalry division at the time of the great battle here. He was appointed hospital steward and detailed to hospital duty in Baltimore, where he assisted in the organization of the Patterson Park General Hospital in April, 1862. He arrived at the barracks, just vacated by a regiment of infantry, at noon. The buildings were bare and there was no furniture, not even a stove. Without previous notice, about 3 pP. M., an ambulance train arrived with 300 wounded men from field hospitals. There was no food, not even straw for the men to lie on, and no blankets; but before 8 p. M. That night a warm meal had been prepared, every man had straw to lie on and a blanket to cover him, and the most seriously wounded had been made fairly comfortable. Young Kempster was enabled to secure this remarkable result through the assistance of Surgeon Josiah Simpson, U. S. Army, medical director of the department of the east, who recognized the effort being made by Dr. Kempster and set aside the usual "red tape," adjusting the requisitions afterwards. In a few days the hospital was in good condition and shortly ranked with the best in the army.
At his own request, Dr. Kempster was relieved from this duty in January, 1863, and rejoined his regiment in the field, participating with it in the Stoneman Raid of the Chancellorsville campaign. The regiment is enumerated by Col. Fox as one of the 300 fighting regiments of the war, and it served with the First Brigade, Third Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac from February to June, 1863, when it was assigned to the Third Brigade of the Second Division, in which division it served until the close of the war. The regiment was in thirty-one pitched battles and many other engagements, beside almost continual skirmishing, from 1863 to the close of the war. Its hardest fighting was at Hawcs' Shop and Brandy Station, but it bore a conspicuous part at Aldie, Middleburg, Upperville, Gettysburg (in the terrific cavalry fight on the right flank, where Stuart's Cavalry was driven from the field during Pickett's celebrated charge), at Sulphur Springs, Auburn, Bristoe Station, Catlett's Station, Aline Run, the Wilderness, Yellow Tavern (where the confederate Gen. J. E. R. Stuart was mortally wounded), Hawes' Shop, Trevilian Station. St. Mary's church, Reams' Station, Boydton Plank Road, and so on to the close of the war at Appomatox. On June 9, 1863, he was promoted to First Lieutenant for gallantry on the field at brandy station. As the regiment lacked its full complement of surgeons he performed the duty of surgeon as well as lieutenant, but in December, 1863, owing to injuries received in service, he resigned his commission.
During convalescence he completed his medical studies in the Long Island Medical College, and was graduated in that institution in June, 1864. He then re-entered the service as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and so continued until the close of the war. After the close of hostilities Dr. Kempster made a special study of nervous and mental diseases, and in 1866 was appointed assistant superintendent of the New York State Asylum for Idiots at Syracuse, in which position he remained until the autumn of 1867. He was then appointed assistant physician in the New York Hospital for Insane at Utica, which position he held until 1873, when he was appointed superintendent of the Northern Hospital for the Insane at Oshkosh, Wis., which necessitated his removal to the Badger State. He remained at Oshkosh until 1884, when he resigned his position and removed to the city of Milwaukee, where he has since resided, giving his attention to professional matters and serving in several important positions, among which have been special medical commissioner for the United States government to Russia ; also to visit Europe and take measures to prevent the introduction of cholera to the United States during the World's Fair in 1893, Commissioner of Health of the city of Milwaukee, 1894-8; and professor of mental diseases in the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Kempster's professional specialty is diseases of the nervous system and insanity, he having been the first physician in the United States to make systematic microscopic examinations of brains of the insane, and he was also the first to photograph through a microscope the actual disease of the brain, accomplishing the latter in 1867. He was one of the three physicians appointed by the United States government to examine Charles Guiteau, who shot President Garfield, and found him sane and responsible. In the literary field he has also won considerable recognition, being the author of "The Causes of Emigration from Europe," a valuable work in two volumes, published in 1892; "The International Dissemination of Cholera and Other Infectious Diseases, with Plan for Effectual Quarantine" (1893); and he is also a contributor to standard publications on the subjects of insanity, mental hygiene, and jurisprudence. Notwithstanding the energy and concentration of thought necessary to secure high standing in the medical profession.
Dr. Kempster has found time to devote to fellowship with his old comrades of war times. He is an honored member of the G. A. R.; was commander of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of Wisconsin, 1001, and a member of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. In addition to other literary work he has written a number of articles on military affairs, besides delivering lectures and public addresses. He delivered funeral orations on the day President Garfield was buried, also on the occasion of President McKinley's burial. He is the author of a "History of the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac," which is considered a valuable contribution to Civil War literature.
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WILLIAM JOHN KERSHAW
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
William John Kershaw, who is engaged in the general practice of law in the city of Milwaukee, was born at Big Spring, Adams county, Wis. on Jan. 12. 1865, son of William John and Martha Mary (Corn) Kershaw, the former of whom was born in County Antrim, near Belfast, Ireland, and the latter was a native of Wisconsin. On the maternal side the subject of this review comes from an old American family, the blood being strongly mixed with that of the native American Indian. The mother, Mary Corn, and the members of her family had much influence for good among the red men, her aunt, Mary Wallsworth, being a remarkable woman in that respect. The husband of the latter conducted a pioneer hotel in Adams county and many Indians camped in that vicinity, so that it was a favorable point for the agents of the government to meet the nation's wards and deal with them, Mrs. Wallsworth frequently acting as the interpreter.
William John Kershaw, Sr., migrated from the Emerald Isle as a young man and first took up his residence in Albany, N. Y., but soon thereafter he continued his journey to Big Spring, Adams county. Wis., where he had some dealings with the Indians as an agent of the United States, and in this way he met the lady who afterward became his wife. He was a lawyer, and after locating at Big Spring continued to practice his profession there for a number of years, and filled several important official positions, among which was district attorney of Adams county. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Wisconsin infantry for service in the Civil war, and after serving for a time as sergeant-major was made captain of Company K on March 14, 1862. The regiment was mustered in and left the state on March 30, being sent to Pittsburg Landing, and reached there on April 5. The next morning, with absolutely no instruction in the manual of arms and but little drill, it was ordered to check the enemy's advance at Shiloh, and fought bravely. "Many regiments may well covet the impressions which the Eighteenth Wisconsin left of personal bravery, heroic daring and determined endurance," said Governor Harvey. It took part in the siege of Corinth, which followed closely, and then encamped at Corinth and Bolivar. Captain Kershaw participated in all the service of the regiment up to this time, but he resigned his commission on Sept. 3, 1862, and returned home. In the spring of 1864 he again entered the service as major of the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin infantry, to which position he was assigned on March 10. The first six companies of this regiment were mustered into service the latter part of March, and with Major Kershaw in command, left the state on April 28 for Virginia to join the Army of the Potomac. The regiment distinguished itself at Petersburg on June 16, 17 and 18, and on the 17th Major Kershaw was seriously wounded by a musket ball through both his legs. This wound practically ended his military career, and although promoted to lieutenant-colonel on Sept. 27, he never mustered as such, and on Oct. 18, 1864, he resigned his commission as major. He then returned to his home at Big Spring, Wis., and renewed the practice of law.
In 1866 and again in 1867 he was elected to represent Adams county in the Wisconsin assembly, serving two terms in that capacity, immediately succeeding which, in 1868, he was elected to the state senate and served during the sessions of 1869-70. While serving in this position he removed to the city of Milwaukee and in company with C. J. Kershaw became interested in the salt, cement, plaster and lumber business. His partner, although of the same name, was not related to him. Colonel Kershaw was again elected to the state assembly from Milwaukee county, serving in the session of 1875, after which he gave his attention to private affairs until his death in 1883, his wife having passed away in 1865.
William J. Kershaw, whose name introduces this review, received his primary education in the public schools of Adams county and later attended St. Lawrence College, east of Fond du Lac, and St. Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee. He then made a trip West, in which region he remained two years, and upon his return worked in the northern woods one year. He then served an apprenticeship at the machinist trade, but after mastering its intricacies he decided that it was not to his liking and began, the study of law in the office of W. C Williams and Aug. G. Weissert. In due time he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession, first in the employ of Mr. Weissert, his former instructor, with whom he remained until 1892, when he became the junior member of the firm of Eschweiler, Van Valkenburgh & Kershaw. This partnership existed for some time, but in 1897 Mr. Kershaw began practice alone and has since conducted individually an excellent practice.
He was married on March 31, 1893, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Joseph and Emma (Meyer) Schiller, of Milwaukee. In politics Mr. Kershaw adheres to the time-honored principles of the Democratic party, his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church, and fraternally he is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, that distinction being his as an inheritance from his father. He also has membership in the Milwaukee Bar Association and the Archaeological Society.
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THEODORE KERSTEN and MISS LIZZIE SIEBEN
Married a Chilton Banker
MILWAUKEE, July 29, This morning at the chapel of the Home of the Good Shepard, Miss Lizzie Sieben and Theodore Kersten were united in marriage by Rev. Father Buckengruber, of St. Michael's church. The brid is the daughter of one of Milwaukee's pioneers, and the groom is a well-known Chilton banker, who was the democratic candidate for state treasurer two years ago.
Source: The Wisconsin State Journal Madison, Wisconsin July 29, 1890
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JOHN GEORGE KESTELL
For more information on this family see this website.
John George Kestell was born 24 August 1853, the son of Johann Baptist Kastel and Ursula Kreppel/Krebbel/Krippel, in the town of Germantown, Washington County, Wi. He married , Jane Daily, a neighbor girl, about 1880. She died giving birth to their first born son on 12 March, 1881. Jane was born December 20, 1840 at Rochester, New York, the daughter of John and Nancy Daily. She was 40 years old when she died. She was 13 years older then John George. She is buried on Nelson's burial ground, Waukesha, Co.
The 26th of August 1880, John Kastell bought the farm from his mother for $1,000. with the personal. In the 1870 census, the property was valued as follows: 20 acres improved land, 20 acres woods valued at $1500. and $50. worth of machinery: 2 milking cows, 2 working oxen, 5 swine, $100. all livestock; 80 bushels wheat, 20 bushels rye, 10 bushels oats, 10 lbs. wool, 25 bushels peas and beans, 60 bushels Irish potatoes. $10.00 orchard products, 300 lbs. butter, 8 tons hay, $55.00 worth of animals slaughtered; $650.00 estimated value of all farm products. There was also a plow, a spring tooth, and a drag included in the machinery.
On October 3, 1881, there was a land entry between Nancy Daily and John G. Kestell (as he spells his name now) . According to the indenture, Jane, John George's wife, had bought the farm a few years earlier from her mother, but I guess the papers were not made at the time. Jane had died in March and the estate was being settled. Before the death of Johann Baptist Kastel, John George went by the name of 'George", because of the confusion with his father's name. He kept using the name of 'George until the time of his death, even though he had a brother by the name of George.
Eight months after Jane died, John George Kestell married Magdalena Breckheimer, daughter of Ambrose Breckheimer and Anna Maria Koblenz in St. Francis Church in Milwaukee. They were married by Rev. P. Ignatius Ullrich on 15 Nov. 1881. Lena Breckheimer was born 28 June 1855, in the town of Rhine, Sheboygan County. She went to Milwaukee to find work as a young girl and that is when she met John George. Magdalena died of Broncho pneumonia following a case of the measles, on the 14 Sept. 1902. She is buried on St. George's Catholic Cemetery in the town of Rhine - just one half mile north from the family homestead.
On the 19th Jan. 1882, John George sold the homestead farm to John Conrath Wiseckel with the personal. He must have gotten the farm back, as on the 15 Oct. 1886, GEORGE John Kestell and wife Magdalena sold the farm to John Tiry (George Kestell was married to Ferdinanda Tiry), and on the same day, 15 Oct. 1886, John Tiry sold the homestead farm to Charles Dallmann of Milwaukee County. Charles Dallmann was married to Christina Kaestel, a sister of John George's.
John George Kestell and his wife Magdalena and family of seven children, lived on the "Daily" farm in Germantown until 9 June 1894, when they bought the farm in the town of Rhine, Sheboygan County, from Ambrose Breckheimer and his wife Anna Maria. The Breckheimers were the parents of Magdalena Kestell. They paid 3500.00 for 110 acres of land and all the buildings. Magdalena and smaller children came to Elkhart Lake by train, and the household furniture was moved up by wagons and teams. John G. Kestell III was ten years old at the time. The Breckheimers moved to a house in Elkhart Lake to retire. Ambrose lived until 2 July 1901, and Anna Maria outlived her daughter by a good many years and passed away 16 Jan. 1917.
A few years before John George's death, he was picking apples in the orchard. He used a chair that had posts on the back lean, to climb up into the tree. He slipped and fell from the tree and hit the chair on one of the posts and injured his intestines. He lived for several years, but he was not in good health. He died 31 Jan. 1905. He is buried beside his wife on St. George's Cemetery in the town of Rhine, just one half mile north of the farm
Anna and John were the only ones who were over 21 years of age when their father and mother were both dead. Anna had just married the September before her father's death. Francis Williams was appointed guardian of Julius, Charles, Arthur, Margaret and Catherine. Katie was 10 years of age when her mother died and just 13 when her father died. She was the youngest in the family. John had just signed papers with his father on his 21st birthday to take over running of the farm. When Julius was 21, he went into partnership with John. The 5th of October 1905, John George III bought 26 acres from Julia Feldmann and her husband John for $1000.00. Now the farm was 136 acres total. John George III also bought the personal property from his father before his death. He borrowed the money from his grandmother Breckheimer.
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CAPT. CHARLES KING
A short biography from 1895 reads;
"Whoever has failed to read the delightful army stories of Capt. Charles King is not fully competent to discuss current literature. Captain King is a resident of Milwaukee, Wis. He was born in Albany, N. Y., October 12, 1844, being the only son of Gen. Rufus King, grandson of Charles King, LL.D., president of Columbia College, and great-grandson of Rufus King, of New York, who was twice Minister of England and twenty years United States senator. In 1845 Gen. Rufus King settled in Milwaukee, and in 1862 his son was sent by President Lincoln to West Point, where he became adjutant of the Corps of Cadets and was graduated in 1866. He served twice as instructor of tactics at West Point; was aide-de-camp to General Emory during the reconstruction days in New Orleans; commanded his troop of the Fifth regiment of cavalry during the Apache campaign, and was severely wounded in action at Sunset Pass. Capt. King served through the Sioux and Nez Perces campaigns of 1876, and 1877 as adjutant of the Fifth cavalry. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1879, and placed on the retired list because of wounds received in the line of duty. For ten years he was inspector and instructor of the Wisconsin National Guard and colonel of the Fourth Wisconsin infantry, and is now making a study of the European armies. He is best known as an author of military history and soldier stories. His novels, "The Colonel's Daughter," "Marion's Faith," "Captain Blake," "Between the Lines," "Dunraven Ranch" and others, have been widely read throughout the United States and abroad. While in the army Captain King was known as a gallant soldier. He is now regarded as an able teacher of military tactics."
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KURTIS P. KLUMB
Kurtis P. Klumb, 53, an attorney who found his calling teaching business law at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also became active in the American Indian community, helping wife Jenelle's family as an officer with the Indian Summer festival. He was found dead of a heart attack April 1.
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NORMAN L. KNEELAND
Candidate for City of Wauwatosa
N.L. Kneeland, Republican candidate for alderman, owns and works a farm in the eastern part of Wauwatosa. He is at present an alderman, having been appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of W.J. Underwood.
Source: Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899
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WILLIAM KOEPKE
car-builder at the North Milwaukee shops, was born in Prussia, in 1821. He came to the United States in 1854, and located in Milwaukee, Wis. He worked eight years at house-building, and, in 1862, commenced with the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railway, in depot building. He was engaged in that work, in Milwaukee and along the line of the road, until 1864, when he commenced in the shops, where he is at present employed; has been with the company continuously, under its different managements, seventeen years. Resides at No. 674 First Street.
Source History of Milwaukee 1881 pg 1367
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ROBERT A. KOEPKE
Draughtsman, son of Wm. Koepke, was born in Milwaukee, December 27, 1854; learned his business with L.A. Schmidtner, architect, serving four years. He engaged with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1876; has been in the company's employ about five years, at the North Milwaukee shops.
Source History of Milwaukee 1881 pg 1367
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NIKOLA A. KOSIC
Nikola A. Kosic, 97, the Yugoslav freedom fighter who spent nearly half a century living in exile here. He helped lead a bloodless coup against a government that had made an alliance with Hitler. The coup later collapsed, and Kosic became a German prisoner of war. In Milwaukee, he became the voice of his homeland, including for many years on WUWM-FM. Kosic died of natural causes Nov. 9 in Serbia-Montenegro.
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FRANK J. KOWALSKY
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
Frank J. Kowalsky, a well-known pharmacist whose place of business is at 722 Forest Home Avenue, is a native of Milwaukee, where he was born on Feb. 2, 1883. He is the fourth in order of birth of the family of eight of John and Mary (Speichert) Kowalsky, both natives of Germany and of Polish descent. The father was a barber by trade who came to Milwaukee in 1865 direct from Germany, and from the time of his arrival until his death on June 22, 1907, he conducted a shop at 619 Walnut Street. The other children of the family are Anna (Mrs. Theodore Schmitt); Adolph F., John J., Celia, wife of Peter Skorch; Alex T., Joseph B., and Adelaide. Alex and John are in the granite business at Seattle, Wash., John being the president and Alex the secretary and treasurer of the Washington-British Columbia Granite Company, Inc. Adolph is connected with the Kowaisky-Ehlich Hardware Company, of Milwaukee, and Joseph is a bookkeeper for the same firm.
Frank J. Kowalsky, the subject of this memoir, was brought up in Milwaukee and received such preliminary education as the public and parochial schools afforded. During 1902-1903 he was a student at the Milwaukee Mutual College, studying pharmacy. The following two years he served as an apprentice clerk and then, after passing the examination given by the state pharmacy board, he entered, in December, 1906, the pharmacy business under his own name. The success which he has attained is ample evidence that he is a wide-awake, energetic business man.
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JOSEPH J. KRACH
Joseph J. Krach, who has had a varied experience as engineer on the lakes and rivers, nominally retired from the engine room in May, 1891, to take charge of the mechanical department of the Meisenheimer Printing Company, doing business at No. 330 Clinton street, Milwaukee, Wis., in which he is a stockholder. It was not his purpose, however, in retiring from active service on the lakes to sever his connection with his shipmates, as he remains an ardent member of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association. He is a strong advocate of the principles of the order and has upheld them on all occasions, and has ever been active and earnest in performing any duties that devolved upon him. He joined the association in 1883, and since that date has been three times elected to the office of president of Milwaukee Lodge No 9. He has also been chosen as delegate to represent his lodge in the national conventions at Milwaukee and Chicago; also at Charleston, S. C., but press of business at the printing office prevented his attendance. He has generally had charge of the publication of the Engineers' Directory.
Joseph J. Krach was born on July 17, 1853, at St. Louis, Mo., and the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Tingey) Krach, the father being a native of Ellingen, Bavaria, and the mother of Barnet, England. They were married in England and came to the United States in 1851, locating at St. Louis, Mo., which city they reached by way of the St. Lawrence river, the lakes, Illinois canal and the Mississippi. After reaching his new home the father started in the shoemaking business, doing a large share of custom work. He died in 1887 at the age of seventy-five; the mother, being in her seventy-sixth year, is tenderly cared for by her son Joseph.
Joseph J. acquired a liberal public-school education in St. Louis, and during vacations was always around the water, making voyages on the Mississippi, between St. Paul and New Orleans, and on the Missouri, Red and Tennessee rivers to various points. After leaving school he learned the printer's trade, and in 1874 went to Milwaukee. The next year he shipped as fireman on the tug F. C. Maxon, followed by a season in each of the tugs Ed L. Anthony, J. B. Merrill and W. K. Muir in the same capacity.
In 1879 Mr. Krach took out an engineer's license, and after coming out on the tug F. C. Maxon, he was appointed engineer of the Levi Johnson, and took her to Kenosha, Wis., where he was engaged waiting on a dredge. The next year he came out on the tug S. S. Coe, but closed the season on the F. C. Maxon. That winter he went fishing out of Racine with Capt. Frank Lovell in the tug R. Wetzell. In 1881 he entered the employ of Parker & Maxon, and ran the tugs S. S. Coe and F. C. Maxon alternately until September, 1883, when he was appointed to the tug Arctic, of the Goodrich Transportation Company, operating at Grand Haven, and ran her until July of the next season, when he was appointed engineer of the tug Welcome, commanded by Capt. Charles Moody. In the spring of 1885, he came out in the tug Uncle Sam, closing the season on the Robbie Dunham, after which he joined the steamer Hilton, and in 1887 the steamer New Era, leaving her to help fit out the new steamer William H. Wolf, to which he had been appointed second engineer. In the summer of 1888 he also assisted in fitting out the new steamer Helena, and was appointed second engineer, Scott Pratt being chief. The following spring he joined the steamer New Era as chief, and in 1890 the St. Joseph in the same capacity, running her until May, 1891, when he resigned to go into business as above stated. He installed the entire steam plant of the Meisenheimer Printing Company, assumed charge of all the mechanical appliances, and fills the office of foreman of the composing rooms. During the winter months he was generally employed in the machine shops of Thomas Sheriffs, of Milwaukee, on repair work of steamboats.
The following facts are witnesses of his bravery: While engaged in tugging he assisted in saving the lives of part of the crew of the bark Tanner, the captain and cook being drowned; and also, with the assistance of the crew, while acting as engineer of the tug F. C. Maxon (1881) rescued a prominent grocer and son from drowning in the West Menominee river, their horse having backed over the dock. It was during the year of 1885 when on the tug Uncle Sam, having in tow a lumber schooner, that he observed the main boom to jibe and knock a sailor overboard. Quick as a flash the tow line was cast off and Capt. Steve Green notified, and the vessel put to full speed toward the drowning man, who was rescued just as he was disappearing. He has twenty-one issues of engineer's license.
Mr. Krach was wedded to Miss Loretta, daughter of Matthew and Mary (Barry) Dunn, of Queenstown, Ireland, on December 7, 1886. The children born to this union are Edward T., a graduate from the Milwaukee high schools; Myra L., Ruby A., Viola E. and Beulah. The family homestead is in Town Lake, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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ALYCE M. KRAEMER
Alyce M. Kraemer, 101, whose anonymous gifts to the West Bend area included $5 million for the expansion of the local library and another $2 million for the cancer care center at St. Joseph's Community Hospital. In recognition of her generosity, the library addition and cancer care center have been renamed in memory of Kraemer and her late husband, Elmore Kraemer. She died of natural causes March 31.
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WILLIAM L. KRANSTOVER
One of the important and growing business interests of Milwaukee is that conducted under the name of the Badger Dye Works, of which William L. Kranstover is the secretary and treasurer. He is a native son of Milwaukee, his birth having here occurred in 1879. His parents were Ernest and Louise Kranstover, the former a native of Germany, whence he came to America at an early day, settling in Milwaukee, where he established the Badger Dye Works, conducting the business to the time of his death. This was incorporated in 1913, with Ernest Kranstover as the president, Julius E. Kranstover as vice president and William L. Kranstover as secretary and treasurer. At the time of the father's death in 1918, J. E. Kranstover became the president, while William L. remains as secretary and treasurer. This business was established on a small scale, the dye works being opened with one helper, but through the intervening period the trade has steadily grown and the plant has been constantly expanded and enlarged until today the company employs one hundred people. They took over the business of the Fischer Cleaning Company and of the Chaintron French Dyeing Company several years ago, merging these into the Badger Dye Works. Their patronage covers a considerable portion of the middle states and is being constantly developed. In 1917 they established a complete laundry department and they occupy three floors and a basement in their new structure and also the buildings on the adjoining fifty feet, while their out-of-town receiving and shipping department is situated in the next block and the chemical cleaning rooms are in a separate building. They have most splendid machinery and equipment in every particular for the conduct of both the dyeing and laundry business and their thoroughness, their reliability and their excellend work consitute the elements which are leading to the continued growth and sucess of the business.
Source: HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE (Volume 2, pages 275 & 276)
William Krahnstover, one of the popular and progressive young business men of Milwaukee, and manager of the Badger Dye Works at 111-115 North avenue, was born in the town of Rostock, Germany, Feb. 10, 1879, the son of Ernst and Louisa (Dernehl) Krahnstover, native of the same place. His parents grew to maturity and married in their native land, where Mr. E. Krahnstover learned the art of dyeing and coloring fabrics, and where he operated dye-works from 1870 until 1888. In the year 1885 he made a preliminary trip to the United States in search of a good business location, and in the year 1888 he sold out his business in Germany, and. accompanied by his wife and family, came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he founded the Badger Dye Works on North avenue.
Our subject is the oldest of their six children, the other members of the family being Frederick E., who is associated with our subject in the dye works; Augusta; Julius, student at the Textile School of Krefeld, Germany; Albert; and Harry, also connected with the dye works. William was educated in the public schools of Milwaukee, and when he was fifteen years of age entered his father's works in order to master the details of the dyeing business, as well as the process of chemical cleaning. He has made this his life work and has become thoroughly conversant with every branch of the intricate and difficult art.
Since the year 1903 he has served in the capacity of manager of the works, and under his efficient supervision the business has expanded and grown to very large proportions. Besides the office and large works at 887-891 Third street, the Badger Dye Works maintain stores at 109 North avenue, 711 Grand avenue, 352 Grove street, 1107 Vliet street, 547 East Water, 320 West Water and 557 East Water street, Milwaukee. They make a specialty of dyeing and dry cleaning ladies' and gentlemen's fine wearing apparel, velvet, plush and damask portieres, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, lace curtains, etc. The dye works are up-to-date in every particular, the labor employed is highly skilled, and as a result their product is of a highly satisfactory nature.
Mr. Krahnstover is an affable and courteous gentleman, well liked by his business associates, and is a fine type of the go-ahead young business man. He has never been married and resides with his father at the home, 990 North avenue. He is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 11, Knights of Pythias, as is his brother Frederick also; he is likewise secretary and treasurer of the National Association of Dyers and Cleaners.
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
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ERNEST KRAHSTOVER
who has the honor of being the founder of one of the substantial business houses of Milwaukee, the Badger Dye Works, at 99 North avenue, was born at Kostock, on the Warnow, North Germany, March 13, 1846. His parents was Henry Krahnstover who was also born and reared in Kostock. The father rewceived an excellent education in his native town, and after leaving school learned the jeweler's trade. When he had thoroughly learned his business he established himself in a store of his own, carrying on a general retail jewelry business, in which he was very successful. Five childred were born to Mr. & Mrs. Krahnstover, four daughters and one son, the subject of this sketch being the only one of the family who came to America. The elder Krahnstover was summoned by the angel of death in 1872, on Nov. 5, and was survived by his widow until 1907. Both were buried in th eir native town. Ernest, our subject was given the benefit of a liberal education in his native land, and at the age of sixteen started to learn his trade, the art of dyeing. After serviving his apprenticeship he worked as a journey man in nearly allk the large cities of Germany. In 1869, when twenty-three years of age, he established a business of his own and met with marked success. Mr. Krahnstover was ambitiious and desiring a wider field for his activities immigrated to America in 1889 and located in Milwaukee. He started a eye-works at 111-115 North avenue, of which he was sole proprietor until 1904, when his business was taken in charge by his sons, Fred E. and William. During his residence in the Cream City, Mr. Krahnstover has built up a substantial business house by his won unaided efforts. He has always endeavored to please his customers, and the result has been most satisfactrory. He is a Republican in politics and though he takes an interest in the party and its princip;les, he has never had time to take an active part. On May 31, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Krahnstover and Louise, the daughter of William and Isabel (Schoman) Dernehl, both residents of Kostock, Germany. Mr. & Mrs. Krahnstover have six children: William, Augusta, Fred, Julius, Albert and Harry. All the boys are interested in the dyeing business, and the daughter lives at home. The family ae members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Krahnstover is very domestic in his tastes and devotged his time to his family. He is a member of the Dyers: Association.
Waltrous History of Milwaukee Pages 618 & 619
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ROBERT KRETSCHMAR
wholesale packer and dealer in pork, beef, hams, shoulders, bacon and lard, at No. 129 Clinton street. Mr. Kretschmar was born in Saxony, Germany, February 11, 1829, and came to Milwaukee in 1850, establishing his present business in 1851. He has a fine trade averaging $15,000 per year.
Source: History of Milwaukee County 1881 pg. 1233
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CHRISTOPH KROPP
Candidate for City of Wauwatosa
Christoph Kropp, Republican candidate for alderman, has resided in Wauwatosa for eight years. He was formerly engaged in the wagon and carriage business in Milwaukee. This is his first try for an official position.
Source: Wauwatosa News April 1, 1899
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WILLIAM KRAHNSTOVER
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
Otto F. Krueger, M. D., a practicing physician in the city of Milwaukee, was born at Beaver Dam, Dodge county. Wis., on Feb. 25, 1876, son of Fred and Elizabeth (Rupp) Krueger, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Fond du Lac, Wis. The maternal grandfather was Peter Rupp, a native of Germany, who migrated to America in the '40s and settled in Fond du Lac, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat in politics, very active in public affairs, and served as sheriff of Fond du Lac county at one time. Fred Krueger, the father of the subject of this review, migrated to America and settled in Dodge county. Wis., in 1868, following the occupation of a general merchant there until 1885, when he removed to the city of Milwaukee, where he and his faithful wife now reside. For some time after locating in this city he was connected with the Cream City Sash and Door Company, and he now is acting as city agent. To himself and wife there have been born five children, all of whom are living.
Dr. Krueger received his preparatory education in the public schools of Milwaukee, including a course at the East Division high school, after which he took up the study of medicine. After some preliminary reading he matriculated at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons at Milwaukee and graduated from that institution with the class of 1896. Since the year of his graduation he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession, his base of operations being in the city of Milwaukee with the exception of one year, when he was located at Hale's Corners. Dr. Krueger is a zealous adherent of the Republican party, giving an unswerving allegiance to the men and measures of that organization, but he has never held official position. Fraternally he has membership in the order of Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Columbian Knights, and he is also a member of the Germania Society.
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FRED KUETEMEYER
HE WENT TO THE BOTTOM.
Fred Kuetemeyer’s Graphic Description of the Sinking of the Ship
The ill-fated Lady Elgin excursionists were to have left Milwaukee at 8 o’clock on the evening of Sept. 6 1860, for Chicago but were delayed till midnight when we steamed out. The day of the 7th was inclement and toward evening the wind rose to a veritable storm. We left Chicago that midnight. However, it was only at the urgent solicitations of many who were anxious, for business reasons, to return to Milwaukee that night, that Capt. Wilson finally decided to face the northeast gale and make the unsuccessful effort to reach home.
Owing to the crowded condition of the steamer I was compelled to make myself as comfortable as possible on the lower deck and there I fell soundly asleep on some flour and feed bags.
I was awakened by the commotion and confusion after the collision but I did not realize the gravity of the situation until I heard one of the crew shouting that the boat was struck and was fast filling with water. Every effort was being made to stay the inpouring torrent. Mattresses and the like were brought, hoping to stop up the gap, but to little purpose. In fact, the boat filled so rapidly that I was unable to reach the upper deck and it was by an almost miraculous circumstance that I was saved in my effort to do so.
The boat was rapidly sinking and I had absolutely given up all hope of life, and the painful thought of my mother’s grief when she should (if she could even do that) view my corpse, filled my mind just as the boat went down.
The rushing waters caught me up bodily and whirled me into the engine room up through the machinery and forced me through the walking beams. The sensation was awful and I fully realized what seemed my inevitable doom.
After being thus released I was being drawn down in the whirlpool of the sinking steamer. However, after having probably been drawn beneath the surface some twenty-five feet the force of the current was to some extent lost, and I rose to the surface. I clutched a small piece of timber floating near and later exchanged this for one of the detached cabin doors of the sunken steamer. On the latter I found a hook and I attached one of the button holes of my coat to it so that I might not so easily lose my hold. The rest of the night I spent thus floating on my uncomfortable but nevertheless gratefully appreciated improvised life boat, with the hundreds of drowned, drowning and nearly drowned, all about and beneath me.
My fatigue finally induced sleep and I actually slept till broad daylight. When I awoke I found myself surrounded by others. In this condition I was tossed about in the rough waves for thirteen hours. When I had floated sufficiently near shore to dare lave my float I did so and made a swim for the land. Seven time sI nearly reached the shore and was caught by the strong undertow and carried out into the lake again. But my continued efforts were finally successful and I had satisfaction of at last securing a footing at the base of high bluff where several men above me had brought ropes for my rescue. They let them down. I secured myself to one and was hauled up, thus safely ending my perilous trop. I have never met another person who occupied the same deck I did and survived the disaster. A nephew of John Plankinton was my night’s companion and lay beside me just before the accident.
My watch stopped at just 1:20 am – the time we went under water.
Source: Milwaukee Sentinel Sept 4, 1892
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CAPTAIN WILLIAM KYNASTON
Captain William Kynaston, who has been lighthouse keeper at Milwaukee for the past twenty-seven years, is the oldest lighthouse keeper on the lakes, and, though he has reached the ripe old age of four score years, is one of the most faithful and capable men in service. He has had a wide experience on the seas, and his long and active career has been full of stirring incident and shifting fortune. He was born in Liverpool, England, in 1818, and began his seafaring life at the age of twelve years as an apprentice aboard a vessel. In the winter of 1835-36 he came to the United States, and in 1837 he entered the United States navy, and for three years cruised in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and in 1840 he was paid off at the Charleston Navy Yard, Boston. For two years he was engaged in the American merchant service on the seaboard, coasting in winter and sailing to Europe in the summer.
Captain Kynaston first visited the lake regions in 1842, shipping May 1, before the mast in the brig Hoosier. In the winter he went to Quebec and thence to sea. Returning to the lakes, he was in 1843 cast away in the ship Superior, the last full rigged ship on the lakes. That year he entered the employment of Mr. Reed, of Erie, and was with him until 1847, spending the winters on the seaboard. In June, 1847, he removed with his family to Milwaukee. He followed the lakes for three years, and in 1849 was captain of the schooner Henderson. He became an Argonaut, in 1850, reaching California overland. His stay on the Pacific coast was brief, for in 1851 he returned to the East, via the Isthmus of Panama, reaching New Orleans in March of that year. The trip was full of perils, and Captain Kynaston narrowly escaped death. Returning to the lakes, he, in 1851 became master of the Baltic for Anson Eldred, and in the following years commanded several other vessels. In 1866 he began a service as pilot of the Johnson, which continued five years, and until his appointment, in February, 1871, as keeper of the lighthouse in Milwaukee. During his long and continuous service in the capacity the lights of the lakes have from time to time been greatly improved. The Captain has been instrumental in saving the lives of many people, and has received the official recognition of the government for his gallant services. He is regarded as one of the best informed and most efficient keepers on the lakes.
In politics he was formerly a Whig and since a Republican. He has been twice married. In 1846, he was married in Erie to Miss Irene Merwin, by whom he had four children as follows: John B., a land agent at Milwaukee; William A., a fisherman; Irene, deceased; and Charles T., deceased. The mother of these died June 7, 1860. Captain Kynaston's second wife was Miss Emma Howder, of Lockport, N.Y., by whom he has three children: Nellie; Frances, who died in 1870; and Raymond Moss, who was drowned off the pier, September 25, 1880. The Captain is one of the hale old men, and at the age of eighty can write like print. He is well known to the lake men, by whom he is universally esteemed.
Source: History of the Great Lakes, Vol. 2 by J.B. Mansfield
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