Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 38

Henry Lauenstein, a shoe manufacturer, whose business is a contributing factor to the commercial growth and progress of Milwaukee, was born in this city, October 15, 1884. His father, Gust Lauenstein, was born in Berlin, Germany. March 6, 1847, and came to the United States about 1874. He settled in Wisconsin, finally becoming a resident of Milwaukee and here he died in the year 1919. He was married in Germany in early manhood but his first wife died in that country. He afterward married again and brought his second wife and his children with him to the new world. In Milwaukee he established the business which is now in control of his son, Henry, founding the enterprise when fifty years of age. He never incorporated but conducted his interest under his own name. He always stood with the working man and was one of the early socialists of the city but not an active party worker. The mother of Henry Lauenstein bore the maiden name of Anna Mueller and came with her husband from Germany to the new world. She, too, has passed away.

Henry Lauenstein acquired his early education in the public schools of his native city and started out in the business world as an employee at the Rauschenberger cordage plant in Milwaukee. After a few months he entered his father's establishment and learned every phase of shoe manufacturing, continuing with his father to the time of the latter's death. For two years prior to his father's demise Henry Lauenstein conducted the business entirely and succeeded to the ownership thereof. He is engaged in the manufacture of leather and felt slippers and also a small line of ladies shoes, finding a market for his products in the central states. The output of the factory has reached five hundred pairs per day. The business, now one of the important manufacturing interests of Milwaukee, is the visible evidence of the enterprise, progressiveness and ambitious spirit of the father, Gustav Lauenstein, who worked from four o'clock in the morning until dark, displaying at all times an unfaltering industry and perseverance. He began by making shoes in his own home and selling them from house to house. His persistency of purpose never faltered. He worked on steadily year by year until he had established a business of substantial proportions and when his son had reached a sufficient age he admitted him to an interest in the business and trained him to become his successor.

On the 22nd of June, 1920, Mr. Lauenstein was married to Miss Regina Kowalik, a daughter of J. Kowalik, a native of German Poland. In politics Mr. Lauenstein holds himself free from entangling party alliances but always maintains a progressive attitude on public questions. He takes an active interest in civic affairs and cooperates heartily in all plans for the benefit and improvement of the community. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his membership connections extend to the Association of Commerce, the Credit Men's Association and the Travelers' Protective Association. He is a lover of outdoor life and engages in many outdoor sports. He likewise finds great pleasure in motoring and in travel and indulges in these when opportunity permits. He has always endeavored to uphold the good name made by his father and to sustain the high position in business circles with which the name of Lauenstein has long been associated.