Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 3 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 12

William Martin Wolff, resident manager at Milwaukee for Wisconsin, for the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland, of Baltimore, that state, has occupied this position for a period of six years and his long association with the insurance and surety business, indicates most clearly the record which he has made for capability, fidelity and progressiveness. A native of Minnesota, he was born in Winona, June 7, 1878. His father, John F. Wolff, who passed away in January, 1919, was born in Germany and was a son of William Wolff, who was also a native of that country and on coming to the United States took up his abode in Milwaukee about 1874. John F. Wolff was a youth of eighteen years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and for a long period conducted business under the name of the Red Star Soap Company in this city. He married Emilie Fiebrantz, who is still living in Milwaukee and whose birth occurred near this city. Her father was August Fiebrantz. who was engaged in the flour and feed business in Milwaukee and owned a farm near the city on the Green Bay road — property that is still in possession of the family. He was born in Germany and came to the United States in the '50s. To Mr. and Mrs. John F. Wolff were born two sons, the brother of William M. being Arthur C. Wolff, who was a sergeant in the ordnance department during the World war and was on active duty for fourteen months. He is now living in Milwaukee and is a member of the firm of Lupinski & Wolff, contractors and builders.

William M. Wolff obtained his early education in the public schools of Milwaukee, passing through consecutive grades to the East Side high school and putting aside his textbooks at the age of seventeen years in order to make his initial step in the business world. At that time he entered the law office of Sylvester, Scheiber, Riley & Orth, with whom he studied for two years, and later he became private secretary to Charles F. Pfister, with whom he remained for two years, having in the meantime studied stenography in an evening school. His next position was with the firm of Meyst, Pammel & Lukens, general agents for the Milwaukee Casualty Company, whom he represented as office manager. Two years later the agency was sold to Roger L. Merrill, and Mr. Wolff continued with Mr. Merrill as assistant manager until August, 1915, when he was appointed manager for the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland. He had since represented the latter corporation at Milwaukee and is a prominent figure in financial circles of the city. His capability and thorough reliability are recognized as salient features in his career. He is also a director of the Citizens Building & Loan Association.

On the 15th of July, 1902, Mr. Wolff was married to Miss Grace Rivers. Her father is Alexander Rivers, superintendent of the paint shops of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. He was born in Wisconsin and passed away in January, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Wolff have one daughter, Deane, who is now a pupil in the public schools of this city.

Mr. Wolff belongs to the Association of Commerce and is serving on its membership committee. He also belongs to the Milwaukee Athletic Club, to the Wisconsin Club, the City Club and to the Ozaukee Country Golf Club. His career has ever been marked by steady progress, and step by step he has advanced until he now occupies a prominent position in the business circles of the city, especially in connection with financial and investment interests.