Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 26

Fred Doepke is a prominent representative of industrial interests in Milwaukee as president of the Wrought Washer Manufacturing Company, which he founded almost a third of a century ago and which is the largest factory of its kind in the world. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, on the 28th of March, 1862, his parents being Gottlieb and Amelia (Miller) Doepke, both of whom were natives of Germany. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Gottlieb Doepke, brought his family from Germany to the new world, settling on a farm within a few miles of Watertown, Wisconsin, and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. Rudolph Miller, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Doepke of this review, was also born in Germany and after coming to the United States participated in the Civil war as a soldier of the Union army. Gottlieb Doepke, Jr., the father of Fred Doepke, was brought to this country by his parents in childhood and after attaining man's estate was employed by the firm of ship chandlers now known as the Joys Brothers Company of Milwaukee. His demise occurred in 1884, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1887.

Fred Doepke obtained his early education in parochial schools of Milwaukee and after putting aside his textbooks did apprentice work as a machinist for four years in the shop of the Filer & Stowell Company, after which he made his way to New York and to Philadelphia, attending the Franklin Institute in the latter city. In New York he was employed in Fletcher's North River Iron Works and also pursued a course in mechanical drawing and higher mathematics as a student in the Cooper Union School. Subsequently he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he entered the service of the Upson Nut Company, having charge of their machinery for a year. It was in 1889 that he came to Milwaukee and founded his present business. He purchased an interest in the Milwaukee Nut & Washer Manufacturing Company but later bought out his associate and changed the name of the concern to the Wrought Washer Manufacturing Company, of which he has since been at the head. In this connection he is engaged in the making of steel plate washers used in the machinery business, also by manufacturers and railroad, bridge and dock builders. The factory is the largest of its kind in the world and the output is shipped all over the United States as well as to South America and the Orient. In the development of his industry Mr. Doepke has displayed splendid executive ability and keen discernment, so that excellent results have attended his efforts and the business is now one of extensive and profitable proportions. He is also one of the directors of the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank.

On the 12th of July, 1892, Mr. Doepke was united in marriage to Miss Annie Disch, a daughter of Myron Disch of Milwaukee, who was a native of Switzerland. They have one son, Fred C, who was born July 19, 1904, and is now attending the Riverside high school. The family residence is at No. 473 Newberry boulevard.

Mr. Doepke gives his political allegiance to the republican party but aside from exercising his right of franchise has not taken an active part in politics. Both he and his wife were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Lafayette Lodge, No. 265, A. P. & A. M.; Calumet Chapter, No. 73. R. A. M.; Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T.; Wisconsin Consistory. A. A. S. R.; and Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a popular member of the Old Settlers Club, the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Tripoli Golf Club and the Milwaukee Gun Club, the latter connections indicating something of the nature of his recreation. He is especially fond of duck hunting. Mr. Doepke also belongs to the City Club and the Association of Commerce and has long been numbered among the prosperous business men and valued citizens of Milwaukee.