EDWARD F. NEIDECKEN - Vice President of Hoffmann & Billings Manufacturing Company

Determined purpose and unfaltering energy have brought Edward F. Niedecken to the creditable position which he occupies in business circles in Milwaukee as the vice president of the Hoffmann & Billings Manufacturing Company. He was born in Walworth county, WI June 15th, 1871, and is a son of Joseph and Katharina (Hosch) Niedecken, who were natives of Missouri and Germany, respective, the father following the occupation of farming as life work.

In the public schools of Milwaukee, Edward F. Niedecken pursued his early education and later entered the University of Wisconsin, in which he pursued a special course in engineering. He initiated his business career as an employee of Filer & Stowell Company before becoming a university student and after his return he reentered this firm's employ as a mechanical draftsman. His association with the Hoffmann & Billings Company dates from 1894, at which time he was placed in charge of the Corliss engine department and continued in that connection until the department was closed down in 1896, the firm desiring to concentrate its efforts and attention along the line of other departments. Mr. Niedecken then took charge of the buying and became vice president of the company, with which he has now been associated for twenty-eight years. His entire time has been devoted to this business and his efforts have constituted an important element in the continued growth and success of the undertaking. During the World war Mr. Niedecken was active in support of all of the various drives for the benefit of the country and her military forces. He was group chairman of the plumbing and heating material activities and spent much of his time in promoting the different drives.

On the 31st of October, 1895, Mr. Niedecken was married to Miss Matilda Hoffmann, daughter of J. C., Hoffmann, founder of the business of the Hoffmann & Billings Company. Mr. Niedecken is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the various degrees of the York and Scottish Rite bodies, while with the Nobles of Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine he as crossed the sands of the desert. He also belongs to the Engineers Society and thus has social as well as bushiness relations with those who are active the same field of industrial enterprise. He also has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club and the Wisconsi9n Club. His life has been passed this state, his educational opportunities were those accorded by the institutions of learning and at all times he has been a most loyal and progressive supporter of her interests and her development.