Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 5 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 30

C. C. Pollworth, a Milwaukee florist conducting an extensive wholesale business, was born at the corner of Grand Avenue and Third street in this city in February, 1872. He is a son of John F. and Eva (Schmitz) Pollworth. The father was a son of Frederick Pollworth. who worked on the first telegraph line between New York and Chicago. He was a native of Germany and came to the United States at an early day, crossing the Atlantic in one of the old-time sailing vessels that was eighty-one days in completing the voyage. The year 1842 witnessed his arrival in Milwaukee. John F. Pollworth was brought to this city by his father and acquired his education in the public schools here, having been but five years of age when the family home was established in this locality. The grandfather, Frederick Pollworth, purchased a farm which he improved and developed and afterward sold. In this manner he continued for several years, owning and selling many farms in the vicinity of Milwaukee, and he was considered one of the best judges and best informed men on farm lands at that period. His son, John F. Pollworth, eventually became a leading figure in hotel circles, devoting the greater part of his life to hotel management. In this he was active until about 1893. He was a prominent figure at the Old Settlers' Club and a recognized leader in political circles in his community. He exerted a widely felt influence along many lines and he passed away at the age of seventy-two years, leaving behind him many warm friends.

C. C. Pollworth, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Milwaukee, afterward continued his education in Marquette University and then initiated his business career as bookkeeper with the Flower Exchange, of which he became manager, remaining in that connection for about five years. At length he decided to engage in business independently and in 1897 opened a florist establishment, selling only to the wholesale trade. For a short time he conducted business on Broadway and then removed to Oneida street, while later he was located at No. 454 East Water street, where he continued for ten years. In 1911 he removed to his present location at Nos. 474 to 478 Market street, a property purchased by the C. C. Pollworth Company in 1920. This was the building in which his parents lived about 1864 and in which the eldest son was born. The company today has a large business outside the city, about fifty per cent of its products going to the north and west territory. The company also ships florists' supplies to all parts of the United States and also are large importers and distributors of bulbs, most of which come from Prance, Holland and Japan. Their greenhouses are located at Wauwatosa and they have more than thirty of them. Their out-of-town trade is developed through catalogue sales and also is handled through traveling salesmen. In the beginning they had six greenhouses and something of the growth of their business is indicated in the fact that they today have thirty-three. Their trade has steadily increased and developed and they have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. The officers of the company are: C. C. Poll worth, president and treasurer; W. A. Kennedy, vice president; and Walter Halliday, secretary. Mr. Kennedy has charge of the greenhouses.

In 1907 Mr. Pollworth was married to Miss Josephine Reinhardt, a daughter of Peter Reinhardt, one of the pioneer settlers of Milwaukee. They have one son, Lawrence, who is a high school graduate and for a year studied in Marquette University. He is now a traveling salesman, representing the C. C. Pollworth Company. Mr. Pollworth is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Knights of Pythias and he belongs likewise to the Wisconsin Club. He is well-known in this city, where his life has been passed, and he is of the third generation of the family to be closely and prominently associated with business interests here, leading to the material development, growth and progress of Milwaukee.