Racine County WI

Biography of Edward H. Wadewitz

Edward H. Wadewitz, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company, is prominent among the alert, enterprising and successful business men of Racine, whose efforts have been a substantial factor in the city’s growth and prosperity as well as in individual success. Honored and respected by all, he occupies an enviable position, not only by reason of the success to which he has attained, but also owing to the straightforward business methods which he has ever followed. In the conduct of his interests he has displayed marked initiative, as well as executive force. A native of … 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 William G. Gittings

Along well defined lines of labor, guided by sound judgment and controlled with a view to maintaining a high standard of business ethics, William G. Gittings has reached the goal of success, being now manager of the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Manufacturing Company. Racine County claims him as a native son. He was born October 6, 1858, his parents being William and Elizabeth Gittings, who were natives of the north of Wales. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Gittings who followed farming in Wales and there spent his entire life. William Gittings, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic from Wales … Read more

Biography of Joseph Miller

Joseph Miller was long numbered among the substantial and valued citizens that Germany furnished to Racine. The consensus of public opinion established his position as one of the foremost citizens here. He early became imbued with the spirit of American enterprise and progress and a laudable ambition prompted his steady progress in business circles. His activities became an important force in Racine’s upbuilding and his record constituted an example well worthy of emulation, showing what could be accomplished through determined and persistent effort intelligently directed. Mr. Miller was born on the 8th of August, 1832, in Niederzer, Rhenish Prussia, his … Read more

Biography of John Martin

John Martin, a retired farmer, living in Union Grove, holds title to two hundred and sixty acres of good land in the County and is also financially interested in The Greenhouse and in the Union Grove Milling Company. A native of Cornwall, England, he was born on the 11th of August, 1849, of the marriage of Joseph and Amy (Tucker) Martin, also natives of that country, where the father engaged in farming. In their family were four children, of whom two survive, John and Joseph, the latter farming in Connecticut. The parents were communicants of the Episcopal Church and were … 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 Carl D. Skow

Among the growing and important business enterprises which have converted Washington Avenue into a busy mart of trade is the dry goods establishment owned and conducted by Carl D. Skow, one of the enterprising citizens that Denmark has furnished to Racine. He was born in that country February 5, 1863, his parents being T. N. and Ursula Skow, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The son came to the United States in May, 1882, when a young man of nineteen years, and settled first at Racine, Wisconsin, where he became a clerk in the dry goods house of J. … Read more

Biography of Chris Schroeder

Chris Schroeder, who upon the foundation of broad, practical experience in agriculture has built his life work-that of disseminating useful knowledge concerning improved methods of farming and live stock breeding-is now live stock editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, published at Racine. He was born in Kewaunee, this state, December 31, 1880, a son of Frederick C. and Margaret (Hoeltz) Schroeder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1842 and with his parents came to the United States in 1853, the family home being established in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where they followed the occupation of farming. … Read more

Biography of Andrew Bennett

A well improved and highly cultivated farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Norway Township pays tribute to Andrew Bennett in return for the care and labor he expends upon it. His home is pleasantly located on section 36 and is a beautiful country residence erected in 1903. It is two stories in height and contains twelve rooms attractively furnished and supplied with all modern conveniences, including running water. Mr. Bennett has spent his entire life in Norway Township, where he was born March 4, 1854, a son of Edward and Mary (Shields) Bennett, natives of County Westmeath, Ireland. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Hilker

Henry Hilker, engaged in the wholesale candy business in Racine, now having a large jobbing trade, was born November 14, 1871. in the city in which he still resides, a son of Adolph and Caroline (Broeker) Hilker, who were born, reared and married in Germany, living in the kingdom of Hanover. They came to the United States about 1866 and established their home in Racine where the father, who was a brick maker, continued in business until his death, which occurred in. the year 1900. His widow now makes her home in Racine. The family residence was maintained in Racine … Read more

Biography of Fred W. Swantz

Fred W. Swantz, of Yorkville Township, is one of the native sons of Racine County who has continued to reside here after reaching, mature years, as he is convinced that the opportunities offered the industrious man here are equal to those to he found elsewhere. He has been active in the real estate field for many years, buying and selling a large number of farms within that time, and he is now interested in several tracts of good land in the County, He also writes insurance and in addition to his other activities engages in raising 0-rain and stock. His … Read more

Biography of N. C. Pedersen

N. C. Pedersen, engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Denmark, February 22, 1851, a son of Peter Nelson and Christine (Christensen) Pedersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. Their son, N. C. Pedersen, was reared and educated in that country and forty-four years ago came to the United States, being at the time a young man of about twenty-one years. He was lured by the hope of finding better business opportunities in the new world, nor did he find that the hope was a fallacy, for he here met conditions that enabled him to … 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 Frank E. Buchan

Frank E. Buchan, a resident farmer of Union Grove, was born in Dover Township, September 26, 1870, his parents being Edward and Mary (Renny) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Dover Township and representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. The paternal grandparents were Edward and Jane (Tillie) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to Dover in 1838, driving across the country from New York with ox teams. Wisconsin was then still under territorial rule and practically little had been done in the way of settlement in southeastern Wisconsin. The grandfather … Read more

Biography of Lillian Watts

Miss Lillian Watts, the most prominent figure in musical circles in Racine and widely known in this connection elsewhere, is identified with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Marquette Conservatory of Music, and is also director of music in the public schools of Racine. She is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. and a daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor (Jones) Watts, both of ‘whom were natives of Wales, and the father came of Scotch-Welsh parentage, in early manhood Ebenezer Watts came to the United States and in 1850 went to California, remaining upon the Pacific coast for five years, after which … Read more

Biography of F. J. Pope, M. D.

Dr. F. J. Pope, a graduate of Rush Medical College of the class of 1875, has continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in Racine for forty years and has long occupied a prominent position as one of the leading surgeons of the city. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. November 2, 1852, and is a son of C. A. and Emily (Hagan) Pope, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The father went to Germany to attend school in Bavaria, becoming a student in a theological college there, and while in that country he … Read more

Biography of Joseph C. Carroll

Joseph C. Carroll, who for thirty years was identified with the business interests of Racine and was recognized as a man of strict business integrity as well as of ability, was born in Racine December 25, 1850, and was a son of the late Michael W. Carroll, one of the ablest attorneys and school teachers of the state and also a veteran of the Civil war. Joseph C. Carroll acquired his early education in the public schools and high school of Racine and manifested unusual aptitude in his studies, so that he became well equipped for life’s practical and responsible … Read more

Biography of Michael Higgins

Michael Higgins, treasurer of the Higgins Spring & Axle Company, mentioned above, was born near Oswego, New York, June 28, 1855, a son of Michael and Bridget (Malone) Higgins, who were natives of Cork and County Limerick, Ireland. The former was a son of Patrick Higgins, Jr., and a grandson of Patrick Higgins, Sr., and it was Patrick Higgins, Jr., who, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic, to the new world and founded the family on American soil. After a residence of two years at Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York, he met an accidental death, being, struck by the falling … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred J. Hansche

Alfred J. Hansche, the second son of Frederick J. Hansche, now occupies and cultivates the old home farm in connection with his brother, Samuel H. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, February 28, 1874, and attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen or seventeen years. He then went to Racine, where he was employed for nine years in the meat market of A. J. Sheckler but on the expiration of that period he returned to the home farm, of which he has since had charge in connection with his brother. They have carefully and systematically … Read more

Biography of Fred W. Brown

One of the attractive homes in Caledonia Township is the property of Fred W. Brown, who is engaged in general farming and dairying. He was born in Granville, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, June 9, 1872, a son of William and Johanna (Schrader) Brown, both of whom are natives of Germany, the former born in 1850 and the latter in 1846. They were married in the land of their birth and their wedding trip consisted of a voyage to the new world with Milwaukee as their destination. The father served as a soldier in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. After coming to … Read more