Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 2 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 17

Through the steps of an orderly progression Erwin Foerster has become the first vice president of the William Frankfurth Hardware Company of Milwaukee. For fifty-five years he has been identified with the hardware trade and his thorough knowledge of the business and his unfaltering enterprise have long been important factors in the successful conduct of the institution of which he is now one of the chief officials. He was born in Huckeswagen, Rhineland, Germany, January 26, 1851, his parents being Franz and Caroline (Hiesfeldt) Foerster. The father was a baker and confectioner in Germany, but believing that the opportunities of the new world were greater he came to America in 1869, settling in Chicago, where both he and his wife passed away.

Erwin Foerster was educated in the schools of his native country to his fifteenth year and in 1866 came to America, making his way to Chicago, where he secured employment as errand boy in a wholesale hardware store. He continued to occupy that position for three years and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he also spent three years in the same line of business. In 1875 he came to Milwaukee and entered the retail hardware establishment of William Frankfurth & Company, who the same year opened a wholesale department, Mr. Foerster becoming the first salesman sent out from the wholesale section. He traveled for a year and then was called in from the road to become assistant buyer of the house, a position which he filled for many years. In 1885 the retail department was separated from the wholesale and removed to 120 Clybourn street. It was at this time that Mr. Foerster was taken into the firm as secretary and treasurer, a position which he continued to occupy until 1917, when he was elected the first vice president. Thus from a humble position he has steadily worked his way upward. The errand boy of a half century ago is today one of the chief executives in a large commercial enterprise and his fifty-five years' experience in the hardware trade have constituted an important factor in making the business of the William Frankfurth Hardware Company one of eminent success.

In 1876. the year of his arrival in Milwaukee, Mr. Foerster was married to Miss Sophia Emily Hottinger of Chicago, and they have become the parents of three sons, who are all living: Otto H., a physician, located in Milwaukee; Oscar Erwin, who is with the William Frankfurth Hardware Company; and Harry R., also a physician of this city. The two brothers who have entered the medical profession are now practicing together as dermatology specialists.

Mr. Foerster is a member of the Athletic Club, also of the Wisconsin Club of Milwaukee and occupies an enviable position in the club and social circles, Just as he does in business connections. A laudable ambition brought him out of his native land that he might enjoy the broader chances of the new world and since that time each day has marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more. He early recognized the fact that success depends not upon environment, but upon the individual and the use which he makes of his time and with a clear understanding of this fact Erwin Foerster has progressed year by year until his name is high on the roll of the leading merchants of his adopted city.