Ralph Elmergreen was one of twelve children born June 17, 1870 in Manitowoc,
Wisconsin, to August and Frieda Elmergreen. August and Frieda emigrated from Germany
in mid-1850s. Ralph studied at the Wisconsin State Normal School in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, as well as at the University of Iowa. He graduated from Baltimore Medical
College in 1892 and later did post-graduate work in Vienna, Austria and the
University of Heidelberg, Germany. Ralph married Clara Rosenheimer in June 7, 1893;
Clara was the daughter of Moritz and Lena Rosenheimer of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.
Ralph practiced medicine in Kewaskum for a few years before the couple relocated to
Milwaukee in 1896 where they raised three daughters, Ethel, Margery, and Hazel.
Ralph began a medical practice in Milwaukee and was a surgeon at Milwaukee’s Mt.
Sinai Hospital. He published extensively in medical journals, was a vocal advocate
against Prohibition, ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1924, and was appointed to a
number of boards over his life. He was a member the Milwaukee Medical Society,
Milwaukee County Medical Society, and the Wisconsin State Medical Society. He was an
early automobile enthusiast and a member of the local Masonic Lodge. He died
September 15, 1930 and is buried in Rosenheimer Cemetery in Slinger, Wisconsin.
