Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 25

Frank Joseph Mann is a representative of one of Milwaukee's most important business interests, as president and treasurer of the Mann-Gruber Company, wholesale woolens. He is a native of Milwaukee, born on the 5th of March, 1861, a son of Herman and Clara (Weiss) Mann, both deceased. Herman Mann was born in Prague, Austria, in 1817, and attended the Technical School there, receiving his training as civil engineer. In 1843 he came to the United States, going back to his native land in a year or two to marry Clara Weiss, with whom he returned to this country. He was also accompanied by his five brothers and a sister as well as his parents and parents of his bride. They all came directly to Milwaukee and although Herman spent some time in farming near Richfield, he started in the grocery business at an early date. The success of that venture seemed assured from the start and it grew steadily into a wholesale grocery business which was conducted under the name of Mann Brothers and became one of the leading grocery firms in the city and state. Finally they purchased the Two River Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of pails, tubs and chairs, and they became the most extensive dealers in pails and tubs throughout the United States. Herman Mann and his brothers also acquired an interest in the Peshtigo Pail and Tub Factory, having a branch in Chicago and they likewise owned a lumber-yard there, both of them being totally destroyed in the Chicago fire. The success that Mr. Mann enjoyed was the result of his own effort, intelligently directed and in his passing on the 31st of January, 1872, Milwaukee lost a most prominent and representative citizen. Throughout his life he was a stanch supporter of the republican party and was a close friend of Carl Schurz, who was born in Liblar, near Cologne, Prussia, and coming to the United States in 1852, became a prominent member of the republican party. Mrs. Mann was born in Plaskowitz, near Prague, and her death occurred on the 17th of June, 1900.

Frank Joseph Mann received his education in the Milwaukee public schools until he reached the age of twelve years, when he enrolled as student in the old German-English Academy. After completing his studies there he entered Markhums Academy and graduated therefrom in 1878. He subsequently made his first step into the business world as clerk for the T. A. Chapman Company, a position he maintained for two years, when he resigned to become clerk in the wholesale clothing business with Singer & Benedict. After three years in that connection and two years as traveling salesman in Iowa and Missouri he associated with J. E. Singer & Company as traveling salesman and manager until 1894. In that year he and Fred C. Gruber founded the present business, which they operated under the name of Mann & Gruber. Three years later they incorporated under the same name, having a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and Mr. Mann maintained his positions as president and treasurer. The keen business insight and executive ability possessed by Mr. Mann have been dominant factors in the corporation's success and their annual income amounts to five hundred thousand dollars, an increase of four hundred and forty-five thousand dollars over the first year's work. The capital stock is now one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and where at the beginning the firm only employed three men, they now have fourteen employees, in addition to six traveling men who cover ten states. Two employees who associated with the company upon its organization are still with the corporation. Mann & Gruber deal in men's woolens, imported and domestic, for the merchant tailor trade.

On the 19th of June, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mann and Miss Emmie Hansen, a daughter of Theodore Hansen, a malt manufacturer of Milwaukee. He was born in Denmark and came to this country, locating in Milwaukee as a boy. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann: Anita L. and Herman F. The son has the distinction of being among the first to volunteer his services in the World war, having enlisted on the day America entered the war, and he was sent to one of the earliest camps at Plattsburgh. He received a commission as first lieutenant, in the Three Hundred and Tenth Infantry, Seventy-eighth Division, and sailed for France on the 22nd of May, 1918. He was in active service until the signing of the armistice ended hostilities and he was twice wounded while in action, receiving a citation for bravery. After eighteen months in France he returned to this country and entered his father's business. Herman F. Mann graduated from Harvard with the class of 1916. Miss Anita Mann also subordinated all personal interests to come to the aid of her country during the World war and was occupational therapy nurse at Camp Oglethorpe, Georgia, from which camp she was later transferred to Fort Sheridan. She was so engaged throughout the entire struggle and for a year after its close. Miss Mann received her education in the Milwaukee Downer College and at an eastern finishing school. Her therapeutic education was received in the former institution. Mrs. Mann takes an active and prominent part in the development and improvement of the general welfare and for many years has been a director of the Milwaukee Childrens' Free Hospital. She has also been made an honorary director.

Although Mr. Mann gives his support to the republican party he has neither sought nor desired political preferment, preferring to devote his entire time to his business affairs. Fraternally he is an Elk and in the club circles of Milwaukee he is well-known as a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, Wisconsin Club, Milwaukee Art Institute, Rotary Club, Chenequa Country Club and the Pine Lake Yacht Club. He is likewise associated with the Manhattan Club of New York city. In all outdoor sports Mr. Mann takes an active interest but he is especially fond of hunting, fishing and golfing, in each of which he demonstrates great ability. The town residence of the Mann family is located at 323 South Summit avenue and they have a summer home at Pine Lake, built on about eight acres of land, fronting the lake. The example of his father he has followed, making the name of Mann indeed an honored one in Milwaukee and throughout the state. By reason of his close application and thoroughness Mr. Mann has reached the creditable place that he occupies in mercantile circles and the business has become one of broad scope and importance, the while the high reputation of the corporation constitutes its best business asset.