Racine County WI

Biography of J. E. Pritchard

J. E. Pritchard has in various ways been connected with the interests of Racine, having previously served as postmaster, while in business affairs his activity has contributed to the general commercial development. Since 1915 he has been engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business. He was born in this city, March 18, 1872, a son of Elias J. and Martha (Evans) Pritchard, the former a native of North Wales and the latter of South Wales. The paternal grandfather, David Pritchard, who came to Racine in 1845, was a woodworker by trade. He established his home on Grand avenue, … 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 Paul B. Wohlrab

Paul B. Wohlrab, who is vice president, superintendent and engineer of the Lavine Gear Company, at Racine, has worked his way upward through the wise use of time, talents and opportunities and is now one of the executive officers in a business which ranks second in extent and importance in that line in the country. He was born in Germany, May 1. 1873, and was liberally educated, receiving both high school and technical training in his native country. He was a young man of seventeen years when in 1890 he made the voyage to the new world, remaining a resident … Read more

Biography of William C. Hood

William C. Hood, who since 1898 has been manager for the American Seating Company at Racine, was born in this city April 21, 1860, a son of Samuel and Alice (Coy) Hood. The father was a son of Thomas Hood, who came from New York to Racine in 1836, when the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun in this section of the state. He secured government land and became one of the pioneer settlers of the district. Hood’s creek was named in his honor. His son, Samuel Hood, engaged in farming to the age of twenty-one years … Read more

Biography of Julius Jappe

Commercial enterprise in Racine finds admirable expression in the business history of Julius Jappe, who since 1911 has successfully conducted a jewelry store and now enjoys a substantial and gratifying trade. He has also been active in political circles and otherwise prominent in the affairs of the community. He was born in Denmark, December 25, 1860, a son of Carl and Mary Jappe, and after spending the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country he came to the United States on attaining his majority, arriving on the 1st of June, 1881. He did not tarry on the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fulton Thompson

Fulton Thompson, a member of the law firm of Thompson & Harvey, has been engaged in practice in Racine since January, 1901, and entered upon his present partnership relation in 1906. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1871, a son of John and Mary Jane (Kirk) Thompson, the former a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Cecil County. Maryland. They were farming people and both have passed away. Fulton Thompson supplemented a public school education by four years’ study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated from the law … Read more

Biography of Sinclair M. Driver

Sinclair M. Driver, president of the T. Driver & Sons Manufacturing Company. is closely associated with the industrial interests of Racine. He has long been connected with the business and his enterprise has been a dominant factor in its successful control in late years. Mr. Driver was born in Racine. Wisconsin. June 8, 1856. a son of Thomas and Marian (Mainland) Driver, who, in 1854, came to Racine -from the Orkney Islands of Scotland. Making his way to this city he entered the employ of Lucas Bradley, with whom he remained for several years, and then in 1867 purchased the … Read more

Biography of Stiles Moe

Among the most highly esteemed and honored residents of Union Grove is Stiles Moe, who owns a general store and who still manages his business affairs although he has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. His birth occurred in Lorain County, Ohio, on the 29th of January, 1834, and he is a son of Edwin and Mehetabel (Case) Moe. The family immigrated to America from the north of France prior to the Revolutionary war, having been driven from their native land by religious persecution. Isaac Moe, the great-grandfather, who was born in Plattsburg, New York, served as a … Read more

Biography of Hans P. Hansen

Hans P. Hansen, who carries on general farming in Raymond Township, near Franksville, is the owner of one hundred and forty-two acres of rich, arable land, in the midst of which stands one of the beautiful country residences of Racine County. Mr. Hansen may well be proud of his attractive home, as it is an indication of his intelligently directed energy and thrift. He was born in Denmark, July 5, 1869, and is a son of Nels and Jennie (Hansen) Hansen, who always remained residents of Denmark, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1835. The father is … Read more

Biography of John T. Gittings

John T. Gittings, a well known lawyer of Union Grove. is giving particular attention to the probating of estates and has built up a large practice in that line. He also has extensive business interests, being secretary of The Greenhouse Company, which is capitalized for thirty thousand dollars, and vice president of the firm of John Meter & Company, owners of a sauerkraut factory. His birth occurred in Caledonia, this County, August 9, 1870, and he is a son of William and Elizabeth (Gittings) Gittings and a grandson of William Gittings, of Utica, New York. The father, born in Wales, … Read more

Biography of James L. English

One of the most substantial residents of Norway Township is James L. English, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 35. In that Township he was born December 4, 1871, his parents being John and Mary (Quinn) English. The birth of the father occurred in Ireland, June 18, 1831, and in that country the paternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life. He was a weaver by trade. Coming to the new world when a young man without capital, John English worked his way steadily upward until he was possessor of a good farm in this County. … Read more

Biography of Dennis E. Fitzgerald

Dennis E. Fitzgerald, who on the 1st of May, 1912, was made city sealer of weights and measures and has continued in this position through the intervening years, was born in Racine, May 1, 1881, a son of Morris and Mary (Green) Fitzgerald, both of whom were natives of Ireland. As young people, they came to the United States and were married at Fall River, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil war the father served the Union cause as a member of the navy. In 1880 he came to Racine, where he engaged in business as a contractor in … Read more

Biography of Charles O. Johnson

Charles O. Johnson, who is engaged in farming on section 14, Norway Township, is classed as one of the popular and highly esteemed residents of his community and his friends have reason to know that he merits their regard, for his entire life has been spent in this locality. He was born March 4, 1857, in Norway Township, a brother of H. F. Johnson, in connection with whose biography on another page of this work there appears mention of their parents and the family. Charles O. Johnson obtained a district school education and then took up the occupation of farming, … 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 Louis N. Burns

Louis N. Burns, who holds the offices of secretary and sales manager in the J.. I. Case Plow Works, has been connected with the manufacture of farm implements continuously since he was sixteen years of age with the exception of one, year, and his thorough knowledge of the business, his aggressiveness and sound judgment have been among the most important factors in his success. As sales manager he has developed in the sales organization a tine spirit of co-operation and loyalty to the company and has based the selling policy of the company upon a businesslike and convincing presentation of … Read more

Biography of George Holler

George Holler, making his home on section 27, Mount Pleasant Township, has been a resident of this County for almost a third of a century. He was born in Germany on the 28th of December, 1858, a son of John Holler. His educational privileges were somewhat limited. He attended the common schools until he reached the age of eleven, when he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand, in which connection he was employed until he reached the age of nineteen. Then in accordance with the military laws of his country he joined the army … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Knute Thompsen

Knute Thompsen was born in Denmark in 1871 and two years later was brought to this country by his parents. Mr. Thompsen entered the foundry as an apprentice in his youth and after years of hard work in 1913 he organized the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, which has been operating very successfully ever since its organization. The office and foundry are located at No. 1308 Eighteenth street; the output consists chiefly of cylinder and piston castings for motorcycle, small marine and aeroplane motors, and the officers are : K. Thompson, president ; Laura Schneider, vice president : Mary L. Thompsen, … Read more

Biography of George Hannaford

George Hannaford, who devotes his undivided time and attention to farming and is now the owner of an excellent tract of eighty acres, on which he is engaged quite extensively in the buying, fattening and selling of beef cattle, was born in Dover Township, January 2, 1858, a son of William and Jeannette (Beaumont) Hannaford. The father was born in Devonshire, England, in 1825, and the mother’s birth occurred in Poughkeepsie, New York. It was in 1848 that William Hannaford arrived in Dover Township and in this County they were married. He was a farmer by occupation and owned and … Read more

Biography of Edward Zahn

Edward Zahn, organizer and proprietor of the Zahn Dry Goods Company, has continuously been at the head of this business which is now one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. It was organized in 1898 and through the intervening period of eighteen years has been developed in accordance with modern commercial methods. Edward Zahn was born in Walworth County, this state, on the 3d of April, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Eliza Zahn. The father, a native of Germany, was born in 1823, and came to America in the year 1841, settling in Cincinnati, where … Read more

Biography of Alexander A. Fisk

Alexander A. Fisk, in charge of the park system of Racine, is actuated in all of his work by broad humanitarian principles. It is not his object merely to develop a park system in Racine that will be a thing of beauty. He has the higher and broader purpose of making it as well a place of recreation to meet the demands of the public needs in this regard, knowing that ninety-five per cent of the people never have, in vacation periods, the opportunity to leave home. He is closely and thoroughly studying modern problems relative to the welfare of … Read more