Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 5 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 6

Leonard Soergel, engaged in the plumbing business in Milwaukee, is a native son of this city, born November 28, 1869. His parents, George and Clara Soergel, were natives of Germany and arrived in Milwaukee about 1838, when the site of the present metropolitan center was adorned with only a tiny hamlet. The father located at No. 570 National avenue, where he built a blacksmith shop that is still standing, one of the old landmarks of the city. There he continued in business to the time of his death and the shop remains as a mute reminder of conditions in Milwaukee sixty years ago. In the family were the following children: John; George, who died in early life; Charles; Leonard; and the daughter, Barbara, the wife of Charles H. Pieplow of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The blacksmithing business was carried on by the two sons, John and Charles, after the father's death in 1881 and they remained active in the business until the death of Charles in 1917, after which John remained as proprietor of the' business until his death in 1919.

The birth of Leonard Soergel occurred in the second story of this blacksmith shop, the family occupying the upper floor as a residence. He acquired his education in the public schools and in early life learned the trade of plumbing and gas fitting. He thoroughly acquainted himself with the work when in the employ of others and in 1893 he established a plumbing business on his own account at 538 National avenue, while later he removed the business to No. 571 National avenue. As the years have passed Mr. Soergel has developed a business of gratifying and substantial proportions, and now has a liberal patronage.

In 1891 Mr. Soergel was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Kroll and they have become parents of two sons, George and Walter, who are associated with their father in the plumbing business as journeymen. Mr. Soergel is a member of the Local, the Slate and the National Plumbers Associations and thus keeps in touch with the trend of progress and improvement along the line of his trade. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a member of the South Side Old Settlers Club. His life has been passed in this city and he has, therefore, been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred through a period of more than a half century. Great, indeed, has been the transformation that has been carried on by time and man and through his business affairs Mr. Soergel has contributed to the industrial development of the city.