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| originally published in the Milwaukee Journal |
The following comes from Memoirs of Milwaukee County, edited by Jerome Anthony Watrous, Western Historical Assoc. 1909, at pages 714 -715:
The preceding article appeared in 1909 at which time, Sylvester was 44. One would think that at middle age, Mr. Wabiszewski might have been content to rest on his many laurels. Not so.
In 1917, at the age of 52, he became president of the Maynard Steel Electric Casting Company, an industry wholly unrelated to the masonry and concrete trades in which he had spent his entire lifetime. Maynard Steel was in financial difficulties when Sylvester became president. However, under his guidance, it rose to become the second largest steel casting foundry in the midwest. It went from having 50 employees to over 500.
But Mr. Wabiszewski's interests were not just confined to industrialism. He was vice-president of the Mitchell Street Bank from 1907 to 1923, and its president from 1923 to 1929. He gave freely to charities, including the American Relief for Poland at the end of World War II. He was also active in his religion, so much so, that in 1948, Mr. Wabiszewski was made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory by Pope Pius XII. During his life, he was also praised by the Governor of Wisconsin, feted by the Polish National Alliance and received by the President of Poland. Not bad for a bricklayer who had one silver dollar in his pocket when he landed in America and who started work at $2/day.
Mr. Wabiszewski and his wife, went on to have two more children than those mentioned in the above article: daughters Sophie and Florence. Florence married a doctor in Stevens Point, and Sophia married Leo B. Hanley, later a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.
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| originally published in the Milwaukee Journal in 1941. |
Sources:
"Industrialist - Patriarch Wabiszewski, 96, Dies," Milwaukee Journal, September 14, 1962, p. 1
"Wabiszewski Estate Filed," Milwaukee Journal, March 3, 1964, p.10
"Wabiszewski, Ex-Bank Head, Dies at 96," Milwaukee Sentinel, September 15, 1962, p. 20
"Wabiszewski Honored at Annual Polish Fete," Milwaukee Journal, October 25, 1948, p. 20.
"What a Night for Wabiszewskis as Papa, Mama Mark 50 Years!" Milwaukee Journal, January 8, 1941, p. 16
Relation to Nearest Featured Profile: Michael Wabiszewski, Featured Profile #35): Brother
Path From Nearest Featured Profile: Michael Wabiszewski > brother, Sylvester Wabiszewski
