Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 35

Henry Uihlein, a splendid organizer, an admirable executive, a man whose broad vision and thorough understanding of everything which he undertook led to success, became in the course of years one of the most prosperous citizens of Wisconsin. He belonged to that class of men who recognized and utilized the opportunities of the new world in the upbuilding of fortune and who gave their loyalty and allegiance to the land of their adoption, their interests becoming inseparably interwoven with the communities in which they lived and labored. For forty-two years Henry Uihlein was the president of the Schlitz Brewing Company, and while he laid the foundation of his fortune in this way, his sound business judgment prompted his extensive investments in real estate and his keen sagacity foresaw the rise in property values, so that his purchases were most wisely made and his prosperity thus greatly enhanced. Such was Henry Uihlein, the business man, but there was another side to his nature, his friends — and they were legion — finding in him a most congenial companion, courteous, kindly and at all times full of good cheer. He was born at Wertheim-on-the-Main, Germany, May 13, 1844, and was the second oldest of six sons, their father being the proprietor of the Gasthof zur Krone, a popular inn of Wertheim. The family tie between the six brothers was strengthened by their business association, for throughout many years all were interested in the Schlitz brewery of Milwaukee and in other business enterprises. During the eighteen years which he spent in his native country Henry Uihlein acquired a good practical education and mastered the art of brewing and malting in Bavaria. He then determined to come to the new world, attracted by the limitless opportunities here offered, and crossing the Atlantic made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where for a time he was employed at his trade and then went to Leavenworth. Kansas, where he was given charge of the practical end of the business for the Kunz Brewing Company, with which he was thus associated for five years.

It was during that period that Henry Uihlein was united in marriage to Miss Helene K. Reutzer, who passed away fifteen months prior to his death. They had a family of seven children: Laura, who is the wife of Dr. Charles E. Albright; Emma, the wife of Morse Rohnert of Detroit; Meta, the wife of W. S. J. Kopmeier; Adele, who died at the age of seventeen; and August E., George and Herman A., who are successors to their father in business.

It was in the year 1871 that Mr. Uihlein left Leavenworth, Kansas, at the invitation of his uncle, Joseph Schlitz, who wished him to come to Milwaukee to take charge of the practical end of the business of the Schlitz Brewing Company in this city. Four years later his uncle started for Mayence, Germany, to visit his brother and while en route was lost at sea, the vessel in which he sailed being shipwrecked. This was forty-seven years ago and by his death the six brothers came into possession of the brewery. They bent every energy toward the development and expansion of the business and all agree that it was Henry Uihlein's ability that constituted the greatest impetus in its growth. He realized that upon him as brewmaster largely depended the success of the. undertaking and therefore he bent every energy toward producing a beer that would be entirely acceptable to the purchasing public. That he succeeded was shown in the constant enlargement of the plant, which stands on the site where Mr. Uihlein took up his abode on first coming to Milwaukee. Addition after addition was made until the plant covered many acres and the business had developed from a small beginning to the largest of its kind in the country. In this connection the Milwaukee Journal wrote: "Fortune smiled on the Uihlein brothers in a lavish manner, pouring treasures upon them until they were credited with possessing the Midas touch. Like a magic gourd the small brewery began to grow, spreading out and demanding more space year after year until whole city blocks surrendered to this gigantic temple of Gambrinus; the product sold in increasing volume in Milwaukee, everywhere throughout the United States and then the wide-funneled steamers of the seven seas were requisitioned to carry to all the peoples of the whole world the beer that made Milwaukee famous!'" It is said that hundreds of thousands of dollars were expended in advertising in the use of this line, which was placed in conspicuous positions in every city, hamlet and town of the country and along the railroads, so that truly he who ran might read it. The great organization that was built up was the direct outcome of the executive power, the undaunted enterprise and the unfaltering diligence of the six brothers who became members of the company and they never hesitated nor faltered until they had reached the position of leadership in the point of beer manufacturing in the United States.

The attainment of wealth was no attraction for them, however, to take up the sports the dissipation or the frivolity that attend upon the rapid acquirement of prosperity in the lives of many. On the contrary they husbanded their interests and resources and looked about them for a field of safe investment. This they found in real estate and they became owners of a large share of the most valuable property in the city. They were the builders of the Schlitz Hotel, occupying one of the choicest corners in the down-town district of the city, and a block further west they erected the Alhambra theatre, which was at the time the largest motion picture house in the world. They were also the builders of the Majestic building, just east of the Schlitz Hotel, and the promoters of the famous Palm Garden, while among their earlier investments was the Globe Hotel, overlooking Lake Michigan. They own all the real estate on the south side of Grand avenue, between Fifth and Seventh streets, including the Palace theatre. Throughout the different business sections of Milwaukee they increased their property holdings, nor did they confine their efforts entirely to this city but made large investments in Chicago, New York and elsewhere in the country. One of the local papers said: "If desirable property was in the market the Uihleins wanted it, and, as they had the price, they generally got it. But they were shrewd buyers and were never known to bid the market up on themselves."

The death of Mrs. Uihlein occurred in January, 1921. They had lived to celebrate their golden wedding, which was made a most interesting occasion, at their summer home, Willow Edge, on the upper Milwaukee river, in the midst of the beautiful gardens, flowers and trees which Mr. Uihlein loved so much. He found his greatest happiness, outside of the companionship of his wife and children, in improving the grounds of his city and country residences, delighting in every growing thing and especially in those phases of nature which showed great beauty. He was entirely free from ostentation and display, and though he might have owned a palatial home in the most fashionable district of the city, he continued to occupy the old homestead at 431 Galena street, which was built more than thirty-five years before his demise. It was most luxuriously furnished and was always regarded as one of the most hospitable homes of the city.

Mr. Uihlein always gave his political allegiance to the republican party but never sought nor desired office yet always exercised his right of franchise in support of the principles in which he believed. He was a regular attendant at the Wednesday evening performances of the German stock company at the Pabst theatre and was present at one of these only about two weeks prior to his death. He enjoyed travel and made twelve trips across the ocean. He had reached the age of seventy-eight years when he passed away on the 22nd of April, 1922. He had long been a most valuable contributing factor to the material growth of Milwaukee. He had extended the trade relations of the city to every part of the world and through his real estate operations he had added much to the city's improvement, beauty and substantial character. He was an extremely modest man, never taking any special credit to himself, but those who were witnesses of his career recognized what he accomplished and paid to him their tribute of admiration for what he did. While the attainment of his wealth was notable and he became one of the most prosperous men in all Wisconsin, he never lost the common touch and his judgment of his fellowmen was based upon personal worth. Geniality beamed from his eye, kindliness characterized all of his relations with his fellowmen and there were many who regarded as one of their most cherished possessions the friendship of Henry Uihlein.