depite his successful, cosmopolitan career, alfred remained fond of his childhood home in wisconsin. in 1913 he bought three acres near genesee depot that would become ten chimneys. in 1915 he had the first section of the house built, described by a visitor as "one enormous room with staircases leading up to a gallery which had doors leading to bedrooms." alfred's mother hattie and his half-siblings lived there year-round, and he joined them in the summers.