Racine County Wisconsin History Collections

Racine County, Wisconsin Biographies

Racine County, Wisconsin biographies consist of 422 biographical sketches of individuals who resided in Racine County Wisconsin in the. These persons were either born and raised in Racine or settled Racine at an early date in its history (pre-1900). They consist of men in the County of Racine, who were considered by the publisher to be the religious, business, governmental, professional, and agricultural leaders of the various communities in Racine. Sometimes they were included simply because they “subscribed” to the manuscript prior to publication.

Biography of Willis L. Cahoon

Manufacturing enterprise in Racine finds a representative in Willis L. Cahoon, who became one of the organizers of the American Mangle & Roller Company. He was born in this city in 1860, a son of Lyman H. and Cordelia L. (Tague) Cahoon, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Kingston, Canada. They were married in the Empire state and about 1850 came to Wisconsin, establishing their home in Solon, where they lived for five years, removing in 1855 to Racine. The father had learned the trades of shoemaking and harness making in early life … Read more

Biography of William Wellborn Acklam

Throughout practically his entire life William Wellborn Acklam has been a resident of Racine County and from the age of fifteen years has been dependent upon his own resources, being therefore a self-made man. He was born July 27, 1854, of the marriage of George and Harriett (Bean) Acklam, and in his youthful days attended the common schools of Racine and afterward the district schools of Mount Pleasant Township, but his textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of fifteen and he started out in business on his own account. For two years he worked in the lumber … Read more

Biography of William W. Storms

William W. Storms, who since January, 1911, has been district attorney in Racine County, was born in Walworth County, Wisconsin, March 22, 1872, a son of Charles L. and Lucia C. (Spoor) Storms. The father, who was born in Wisconsin, was a son of Winslow P. Storms, of New York, who became one of the pioneer settlers of the southern section of this state, where he arrived in the early ’30s. The supremacy of the white man had hardly been established in this district at that period and the work of civilization and development seemed scarcely begun. He aided largely … Read more

Biography of William Turnor Lewis

When death called William Tumor Lewis on the 30th of December, 1915, Racine lost one of its prominent pioneer manufacturers and capitalists, a man who was freely accorded honor and respect, not only because of the success which he had achieved, but also on account of the straightforward and commendable business principles which he always followed and the spirit of helpfulness which he manifested throughout his entire life. He never deviated from a course which he believed to be right in all of his relations with his fellowmen and his memory remains both as an inspiration and a benediction of … Read more

Biography of William T. Davies

William T. Davies, who for five years has been engaged in general farming on section 33, Mount Pleasant Township, was born August 14, 1886, in the Township where he now makes his home, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Davies. He attended district school No. 7 in Kenosha County until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward became a student in a business college in Racine, where he spent one year. Starting out to earn his own living, he went to River Forest, Illinois, where for a year he was employed on a game farm. He was afterward … Read more

Biography of William Sobey

William Sobey, the vice president of the J. I. Case Plow Works, has been connected with the implement business for fifty-six years and for a third of a century has been with the Case Company. He entered its employ in a comparatively unimportant capacity but his industry, knowledge of the business, and his power to direct the work of others, led to his advancement from one position to another and for about fourteen years he has held the office of vice president. The greater part of his work has been done as superintendent and designer and he has taken out … Read more

Biography of William Smith

William Smith, of Union Grove, has been identified with various business interests and his acumen and initiative have enabled him to gain financial independence. He is now largely living retired but still engages in the real estate business to some extent, holds title to one hundred and eighty acres of fine land and also owns the hotel in Union Grove. He was born in Dover, Racine County, on the 10th of September, 1853, a son of William Smith, Sr., whose birth occurred in County Norfolk, England, on the 17th of July, 1817. He emigrated to America in 1839 and after … Read more

Biography of William R. Pugh

William R. Pugh, plumbing inspector for the city of Racine, is a representative of one of the oldest families of this section of the state, being a grandson of Arthur Pugh, who was born in Wales and established his home in Racine when the city was but a village. Here he passed away in 1860, when seventy years of age. The father, David Pugh, was born in Wales and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He became a sailor, following the lakes for a number of years, and he passed away in 1872. He wedded Eliza … Read more

Biography of William P. Heckel

The history of a city is not the record of any one enterprise, important and extensive as it may be, but is the outcome of the aggregate effort of many who are controlling various lines of trade and commerce. Every new undertaking adds to the commercial activity and therefore to the consequent development of the city. Among the newer business concerns of Racine is the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, which was organized June 1, 1915, by William P. Heckel and William H. Larkin, with plant at No. 229 Wisconsin Street. This firm does acetylene welding and cutting, both heavy … Read more

Biography of William Monroe Phelps

William Monroe Phelps, a farmer of Union Grove, was born in Genesee County, New York, February 21, 1869, a son of Charles and Lugene (Monroe) Phelps. The father, who was born in the state of New York in 1839, passed away in February, 1902. The mother, whose birth occurred in Racine County, Wisconsin, in 1845, died April 9, 1905. They were married in this County and later Mr. Phelps returned with his family to New York. For a time he was employed in hotels and later took up the occupation of farming. In 1871 he again came to Wisconsin, settling … Read more

Biography of William Meadows

William Meadows is a brick and tile manufacturer of Burlington but leaves the active management of the business to his sons, for he is now well advanced in years and deserves to enjoy the rest which he has truly earned. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 6, 1833, a son of George and Elizabeth (Greenwood) Meadows. The father, who come of an old English family, was foreman of a cotton manufacturing company of England, where he remained until 1842, when he came to the United States and settled at Burlington Flats, Otsego County, New York, bringing the family to … Read more

Biography of William M. Foster

Among the excellent and well equipped printing establishments of Racine is that owned and conducted by William M. Foster under the name of the Lakeside Printing Company. He established the business in 1893 and during the intervening period of twenty-three years has built up a large and gratifying trade, while at all times he has kept his establishment as an exponent of the best in the printing business, his motto being “Printing as you want it, when you want it.” Mr. Foster was born in Walworth County, Wisconsin, August 15, 1862, and is a son of Leonard M. and Martha … Read more

Biography of William Kittinger

The enterprising methods of William Kittinger, a representative agriculturist of Caledonia Township, are indicated in the fact that he had nine acres of the best wheat raised in Racine County in 1916. His is a well improved farm, supplied with all modern equipments to facilitate the work and render farm life comfortable and attractive. He came to Wisconsin from New York, his birth having occurred in Niagara County, about ten miles east of Niagara Falls, on the 10th of December, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Priscilla (Burnette) Kittinger. The father was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, April 7, 1818, and … Read more

Biography of William John McAdams

William John McAdams, who since 1909 has lived retired, although previously actively connected with agricultural, commercial and industrial pursuits, was born in Elizabethport, New Jersey, August 10, 1849, a son of John and Jane (Crothers) McAdams, who were natives of Ireland, and with their family crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New Jersey. The father was a railroad man, being employed on the York & Erie Railroad as section boss for seventeen years. He came to Racine County in 1851 and turned his attention to farming in Caledonia Township, while later he followed agricultural pursuits in Raymond … Read more

Biography of William J. Rendall

J. Rendall, who is engaged in the foundry business as a maker of brass, bronze and aluminum castings, is one of the substantial citizens of Racine who claims Scotland as the land of his birth. He was born at Westra, Orkney Islands, June 22, 1879, his parents being Thomas and Ann (Reed) Rendall, who, in the year 1887, arrived in Racine. The father was a fisherman in Scotland and engaged in the same business in this country for a short time, at the end of which period, however, he turned his attention to the molding trade, in which he has … Read more

Biography of William J. Harvey

There are few cities which owe their existence to a single manufacturing or industrial enterprise but rather to the aggregation of many business interests. Yet among these there are always some that stand out prominently as most potent factors in the commercial growth and prosperity of the community. Such a place in Racine circles is that occupied by the Harvey Spring Company, of which William J. Harvey is the president and whose well defined efforts have been a most potent force in bringing about the development and consequent success of the concern of which he is now the directing head. … Read more

Biography of William J. Hansche

William J. Hansche, who is extensively engaged in truck farming in Mount Pleasant Township, is of that class of citizens who are active not only in promoting the material development of the district but in advancing its moral interests as well, for he staunchly upholds all those principles which make for better manhood and higher living. He was born April 25, 1867, in the Township where he still resides, a son of Rudolph and Anna (Seorgel) Hansche. He acquired a common school education, pursuing his studies to the age of eighteen years, and through the periods of vacation he worked … Read more

Biography of William J. Beffel

Racine is lacking in none of those advantages which offer a broad field to the energetic young business man and William J. Beffel is among the native sons who in legitimate lines of trade have worked their way upward to success. He became the successor of his father, Mathias Beffel, and reorganizing the business, is now the president of the Beffel Furniture & Undertaking Company, in which connection he controls an important commercial concern of the city. He was born July 27, 1873, a son of Mathias and Johanna (Brehm) Beffel. The father was born in Chicago in 1837 and … Read more

Biography of William Hunter

William Hunter was engaged in farming near Franksville and is now living retired. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, September 15, 1829, a son of James and Jane (Hasty) Hunter. They were also natives of Dumfriesshire, the land of hills and heather. At an early day in the development of Racine County they established their home in Yorkville Township, becoming pioneer settlers of that region. William Hunter is the only survivor of their family of eight children. The father had forty acres of land, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian Church and … Read more