Racine County WI

Biography of John R. Baker

John R. Baker, who is successfully engaged in general farming in Yorkville Township, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Racine County, on the 20th of April, 1847. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Rowe) Baker, were born in Cornwall, England, the former in 1817 and the latter in 1816. Their marriage occurred in their native land but not long after that event they came to the United States and located in Mount Pleasant Township. The father purchased eighty acres of land, which he lost, however, on account of an imperfect deed, and subsequently he bought an eighty acre tract and a … Read more

Biography of Henry Shuman

The rich farming district of Racine County furnishes splendid opportunities to the agriculturist and dairyman, and among the enterprising and prosperous farmers of the locality is numbered Henry Shuman, who is now comfortably situated in life. He makes his home near Franksville and is numbered among the native sons of Raymond Township, his birth having there occurred June 21, 1867. His parents, Fred and Margaret (Hansen) Shuman, were natives of Denmark, the former born August 26, 1833, and the latter August 15, 1826. They were married in Raymond Township, Racine County, where Mr. Shuman had located at. a very early … Read more

Biography of William H. Shephard

Among the newly established business enterprises of Racine is that of the Shephard Plating Company, which vas organized December 26, 1913, succeeding to the business of South, Barrell & Shephard, electro platers, which firm was organized in 1910. This business is located at No. 136 Main street and is one of the last growing, successful enterprises of the city. Actively connected with its development is William H. Shephard, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1873. After obtaining a public school education there he learned the polishing, plating and buffing trade, starting in the work in … Read more

Biography of Frank J. Miller

Various corporate interests have felt the stimulus and benefited by the co-operation of Frank J. Miller, who is recognized as a man of sound business judgment and keen discrimination. His plans are ever carefully formed and promptly executed, and energy and determination have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path. His chief interest, perhaps, is that of the J. Miller Company, one of the oldest and largest shoe manufacturing concerns of this section of the country, of which he is the president. The difficulties of an undertaking do not deter him, for he recognizes the fact … Read more

Biography of Leon Misslin

The career of any pioneer is interesting. An account of that of Leon Misslin will be found especially so to the many who know and respect him for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came into the “wilds of Idaho” eight years before the government surveyed the land, and as a pioneer had many thrilling experiences and encountered numerous hardships and over-came many obstacles. The story of his struggles and triumphs, could it be given in full, would be of the greatest interest. Leon Misslin was born at Nantes, Loire, France, a son of J. A. and … 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 Guy A. Benson

Among the younger representatives of the Racine bar whose professional course has been marked by substantial and consecutive progress is numbered Guy A. Benson, who was graduated from the law department of the State University in 1909. He has been a lifelong resident of this state, his birth having occurred in Iola, Wisconsin, May 31, 1885. his parents being Ole and Andrea (Olson) Benson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The paternal grandfather, Bendt Hanson, brought his family to the United States in 1864, establishing his home upon a farm at Iola, Wisconsin, where he reared his family. The … Read more

Biography of W. A. Crane

W. A. Crane is now living retired, his home being at No. 1654 College Avenue in Racine. For many years, however, he was actively identified with farming and dairying interests in this County and his persistent and intelligently directed efforts constituted the foundation upon which he built his success. He was born in the town of Mount Pleasant, Racine County, September 11, 1844, a son of Augustus B. and Lavina (Baldwin) Crane. The father was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was early left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. It was in the year … Read more

Biography of Clinton Skewes

Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine County, Wisconsin. The father … Read more

Biography of John Storm

John Storm, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying on section 28, Norway Township, is a native of Wisconsin, his birth occurring in Milwaukee on the 13th of July, 1857. His parents, Frederick and Christina Storm, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1816 and the latter in 1836. Coming to the new world in early life, they were married in Milwaukee, where they made their home for a time. When a young man the father cut cordwood during the winter months at twenty-eight cents a cord and during the summer season worked in a brickyard. Subsequently … Read more

Biography of John H. Smith

John H. Smith, a farmer of Kansasville, is one of the native sons of the County, his birth having occurred in Dover Township, March 14, 1851. His parents, William and Mary (Welsh) Smith, were natives of England and Ireland, respectively, the former born June 17, 1824, and the latter in 1826. They were married in Racine County, but the parents of neither ever came to America. It was in 1842 that William Smith crossed the Atlantic and established his home in Dover Township, Racine County, after remaining for a short time in the east and for a brief period in … Read more

Biography of Julius T. Foster

Julius T. Foster, chief engineer of the waterworks of Racine, his native city, was born September 16, 1S49, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hawthorn) Foster, the former a native of London, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married, however, in England and in 1845 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming residents of Racine. The father was proprietor of the Western Hotel and so continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. The business was then continued by the mother and her sons, who conducted the hotel for a long period, … Read more

Biography of Nicholas F. Reichert

Nicholas F. Reichert was a substantial, enterprising and progressive business man whose residence in Racine dated from the pioneer period. He was a native son of the city, born April 24, 1854, a son of Frederick Reichert, one of the pioneer residents. who arrived in Racine in 1840 and became identified with the agricultural development of the district. The son was educated in the schools of his home locality and was reared to the occupation of an agriculturist, having the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the … Read more

Biography of James Murphy

James Murphy is now living retired in Racine but for many years actively engaged in business as a hardware merchant. He has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he makes his home. His birth having here occurred September 1, 1852. His parents were John and Nary S. (Atkey) Murphy, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, while the latter was born on the Isle of Wight. They were married in Rome, Italy, and the mother, who had formerly been an Episcopalian, became a convert to the Catholic faith in Rome. In 1848 they arrived in Racine … Read more

Biography of John Vyvyan

John Vyvyan, of Yorkville Township, had no capital when he began farming on his own account, but possessed enterprise and good judgment and as the years have passed has prospered. He has given land to each of his children, but still holds one hundred and sixty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, this County, on the 15th of November. 1850, and he is a son of William and Matilda Vyvyan, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America, however, in young manhood and womanhood and their marriage … Read more

Biography of E. G. H. Wendt

A large proportion of Racine’s citizens have received business training in the J. I. Case Threshing Machine works and that the training is thorough is indicated in the fact that success has attended the efforts of many since they started out independently. Such has been the record of E. G. H. Wendt, who conducts a real estate, insurance and loan agency, in which connection he is accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Germany, July 22, 1860, a son of Robert and Augusta Wendt, who arrived in Racine on the 29th of November, 1869. The father had been a … Read more

Biography of Rev. Leo F. Gabriels

Rev. Leo F. Gabriels, pastor in charge of St. Louis’ Catholic church of Caledonia Township, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of John P. and Mary (Lush) Gabriels, both natives of Prussia. When young people they came to the new world, settling in Milwaukee, and were there married in St. Joseph’s Catholic church. The father was a cooper by trade and in his younger days had a business of his own and employed a number of people, but afterward worked at his trade in the employ of others. He was born in 1848 and passed away in 1911, while … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wherrey Jr.

Robert Wherrey, Jr., identified with farming interests, his home being on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Racine on the 1st of January, 1885, and in the acquirement of his education passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high grade school pupil. In the intervening period he has been engaged in business with his father and is now conducting a farm on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, where he carefully and wisely directs the interests of the home farm. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wherrey is well known, holding membership in Racine Lodge, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jerome J. Foley

Jerome J. Foley, one of the younger members of the Racine bar, who, however, has already gained for himself a place as a practitioner in the courts of his district, was born in Racine, November 14, 1886, a son of Edmond and Mary (Rooney) Foley, who were natives of Ireland and Racine, respectively. In the ’70s the father arrived in this city, where he conducted business as a mechanic. He married Mary Rooney, a daughter of James Rooney, who came to Racine in 1855 and was also a mechanic. In his youthful days Jerome J. Foley attended St. Patrick’s parochial … 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