Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 13

Gustav E. Strandt, president and general manager of the Milwaukee Dairy & Supply Company, is thus identified with an industry which has been one of the chief factors in bringing Milwaukee into commercial prominence and milking it known through the world as the Cream city. Mr. Strandt claims Wisconsin as his native state, for his birth occurred in the town of Cedarburg, December 9, 1875, his parents being Ernst and Wilhelmina (Detman) Strandt, both of whom were natives of Germany, They came to the new world in childhood and the Strandt family settled on a farm near Cedarburg, in which locality Ernst Strandt for many years carried on agricultural pursuits.

Gustav E. Strandt pursued his education in parochial schools but his opportunities in that direction were very limited. He was reared on the home farm and the urge of necessity prompted him early to take his place as a factor in the work of the fields, assisting in the early spring planting and in the cultivation of the fields until crops were gathered in the late autumn, having little time to attend school. When he was twelve years of age he began working in the Cedarburg Woolen Mill for thirty-two cents per day, his day's work covering ten hours. He was there employed for about two years, after which he obtained a position in the Cedarburg Planing Mill, receiving a little better salary there. He worked there for two years and at the age of sixteen he left the parental roof with a cash capital of sixty-five cents. Already he had had considerable experience in the business world and had developed self-reliance and industry far beyond that attributed to most lads of his years. Making his way to Milwaukee he paid fifty cents of his precious capital for his railroad fare and had in his possession but fifteen cents when he reached his destination. His financial condition rendered it imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he started out to seek work. He soon secured a job with the Rockwell Planing Mill at five dollars per week and at a later period he entered the employ of the Cream City Planing Mill. In the meantime he was experimenting with patents and when but eighteen years of age had displayed much skill and ingenuity in that connection. It was at that time that he organized the Cedarburg Milk Company and for fifteen years was engaged in the business. During this entire period he continued his experimenting on dairy machinery and has produced many styles of dairy machines, which he did not put upon the market, however, for lack of funds. He patented what is known as the Milwaukee sanitary bottle filler and capper, which has become known all over the world and was the first rotary milk bottle filler and capper invented. Many firms have attempted to imitate this but such a course is an infringement on Mr. Strandt's rights. Mr. Strandt had no path of roses before him. He encountered obstacles and difficulties which would have discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit but perseverance, courage and determination enabled him to continue on his way. He labored night and day to get his patent completed, selling his home for funds and borrowing money from his friends but in the end he has won the victory and is now enjoying the success of his inventions. Today the company of which he is the head has a large factory with modern buildings and is doing an excellent business, while its goods are sent to all parts of America, also to England, Japan, China, Canada, Australia, South America, Panama and other lands. Mr. Strandt has given his entire time to his business, having little leisure for social activities.

On the 10th of December, 1898, Mr. Strandt was united in marriage to Miss Dora Nero, a native of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and they are rearing four adopted children, which is indicative of the kindly spirit and benevolent purpose which has actuated their lives. These children are: Norval, eleven years of age; Harold, who is nine; Hertha Strandt, aged six; and Dorothy Strandt, aged four. Mr. Strandt is a member of the Bethany Lutheran church and is serving on the church board. His entire career has been actuated by devotion to high ideals and to a notable sense of duty and what he has accomplished is the direct result of capability, guided by intelligence and by the highest principles of integrity and honor.