Racine County WI

Biography of Joseph J. Wilke

Joseph J. Wilke, sales manager for the Red Star Yeast Company, and since 1907 general agent for Racine County, was born in Austria, August 19, 1882, the son of John and Fannie (Vlenovsky) Wilke, who were also natives of that country. The father died in 1883 and the mother afterward married Antone Keller. In 1894 they came to the United States, settling in Racine, at which time Joseph J. Wilke was a lad of twelve years. He had previously attended school in Vienna, Austria, and in 1893 he came to the United States with an aunt. They made their way … Read more

Biographical Sketch of De Grove Bull

De Grove Bull, living on section 26, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Raymond Township, October 1, 1867, and in his youthful days enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the common schools, while later he attended Rochester Academy until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He engaged in farming with his father for three years and then went to Chicago, where he secured a position with Marshall Field & Company, serving in the shipping department for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Racine County and again worked upon his father’s farm for three … Read more

Biography of Andrew Simonson

Lowell said, “An institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man;” it must perforce partake of his character, his purpose and his principles and becomes the expression of his effort and his ideals. It is not a matter of marvel, therefore, that The Wisconsin Agriculturist has been a most successful farmers’ journal, accomplishing far reaching results for the benefit of the agricultural community, for back of that paper were the ideals and determined energy of Andrew Simonson, a man whose rare virtues and lovable character endeared him to the entire circle of his acquaintance. Andrew Simonson was a native … Read more

Biography of Christopher C. Gittings

Christopher C. Gittings, who since 1889 has been an active member of the Racine bar, and is now senior partner in the firm of Gittings & Janechy, was born in Racine County, October 29, 1862, a son of William and Elizabeth Gittings. The ancestry is traced back to Wales, although the family is of English origin. The father was born in Wales, and in 1850 visited Wisconsin, being so pleased with the state and its future prospects that he returned in 1855 to Racine County and purchased land in Caledonia Township, soon after which he was joined by his father, … Read more

Biography of Alexander R. Anderson

Alexander R., Anderson, manager and treasurer of the Racine Hosiery Company, has back of him twenty years’ experience in all departments of the mill and is therefore most competent to control the enlarging and developing interests of this concern. The work is thoroughly systematized and everything done in a most methodical manner, so that there is no useless expenditure of time, labor or material. It is a well recognized fact that this economy of forces is the basis of all modern business success. Mr. Anderson was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 16, 1878, a son of Walter R. and Margaret … Read more

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 Robert L. Anderson

Robert L. Anderson, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Caledonia, was born in Denmark, December 3, 1871, a son of Robert L. and Sophia (Shenberg) Anderson. The father was born in Denmark, March 20, 1815, and the mother’s birth occurred in Germany, February 20, 1843. Mr. Anderson became a detective of Odense, Denmark, and for twenty-eight years and three months he was connected with the military organization of his country, participating in the wars of 1848-50 and in the war of 1864. He died in Denmark, January 24, 1881, and in 1895 the mother came to Racine, where she is … Read more

Biography of Edward D. Davis

A substantial proportion of the citizenship of Mount Pleasant Township has come from Wales, being a representative of a Welsh emigration either in the first or second generation. Edward D. Davis, born near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, lived for many years on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, and was regarded as one of its substantial and worthy citizens, continuing his residence there up to the time of his death. His birth occurred in January, 1831, and he obtained a common school education in his native land, there remaining until he reached the age of seventeen, when in 1848 he crossed … Read more

Biography of Charles Mason Reed

Charles Mason Reed, who is engaged in farming on section 18, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Ontario County, New York, and in his youthful days obtained a common school education. He was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents, Ezra and Emeline Reed, from the east to Wisconsin, the family home being established on the plank road in Mount Pleasant Township. There they lived for a few years and the father conducted a hotel at Ives Grove. Later he purchased a tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township, upon which he resided until 1865, when he … Read more

Biography of Rev. John M. Naughtin

Rev. John M. Naughtin, pastor of St. Rose Catholic church at Racine, assumed his duties in this connection in 1909 and has here remained for a period of seven years, during which time his labors have been faithful and fruitful. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Zanesville in June, 1854, his parents being Thomas P. and Bridget Naughtin, who were natives of Ireland. On coming to the new world they made their way to, Ohio, settling there at an early period. The father has been spoken of as a man of modest means but of … Read more

Racine County, Wisconsin Biographies

Windpoint Lighthouse

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 William Henry Miller

William Henry Miller was born in Racine, on the 2d of November, 1847. and is a son of Moses and Frances Augusta (Durand) Miller, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut, respectively. The father arrived in Wisconsin about 1844 and was a wholesale merchant of Racine for a number of years prior to the building of railroads to this city. His goods were distributed by four-horse peddling wagons to stores all over the southern part of the state. Later in life he engaged in the insurance business. His influence was always on the side of right and improvement and the many … Read more

Biography of George W. Drought

George W. Drought, who carries on farming on section 1, Norway Township, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Racine County. His birth occurred in Norway Township, October 18, 1869, his parents being William Beasley and Mary (Curren) Drought. The mother had been previously married, her first husband being Werley Drought, who was in the war. The father was born in Canada and was a son of George Drought, who brought his family to Racine County in 1838 from his old home in the Dominion. He was one of the earliest settlers of this locality … Read more

Biography of Alonzo Silas Titus

Alonzo Silas Titus, conducting business under the name of the Waterford Milling Company, was born at Richland Center, Wisconsin, February 14, 1858, a son of Starr and Elsa (Hickox) Titus. The father was born at Buffalo, New York, where he was reared to manhood, and thence removed to Illinois. He was a millwright by trade, but afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for a number of years in McHenry County, Illinois. There most of his children were born. At length, because of failing health, he removed to the pine woods of Wisconsin and in 1859 he … Read more

Biography of John William Ruggaber

John William Ruggaber, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Racine Electric Company, was born on the 26th of July, 1882, in the city of Racine, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Brick) Ruggaber, the former a native of Ottawa, Illinois, while the latter was also born in Racine. The Ruggaber family was early established in this section of the state and as the name indicates they come of German ancestry. The father, Joseph Ruggaber, died in the year 1894, but the mother still survives. They had a family of four sons: Frank, John W., Ed and Albert, all of whom … Read more

Biography of James Cape

James Cape, occupying a prominent position in municipal organization as chief of the Racine fire department, was called to his office on the 1st of June. 1900, and his splendid qualifications for the position are seen in the fact that he has been for forty years in fire department service. He was born in New York City, January 3, 1855, a son of James and Elizabeth (Jones) Cape, both of whom were natives of Bristol, England, whence they came to the United States in 1853. The father was a shoemaker by trade and for about two years was employed in … Read more

Biography of John C. Wagner

John C. Wagner is proprietor of the Wagner Hotel of Racine, in connection with which he conducts what is known as the best restaurant of the city. He was born March 27, 1858, in Racine, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gracely) Wagner, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Württemberg, Germany. In the early ’40s they arrived in Racine and were married in this city. The father was a tanner by trade and long followed that line of business. After acquiring a public school education John C. Wagner learned the wire-weaver’s trade, to which he devoted … Read more

Biography of Isidor Friedman

The mercantile establishment of The Friedman Company might well be termed the “Marshall Field” of Racine. Not only is it the largest store of its kind in the city but it institutes and adopts the most progressive methods and in all of its undertakings displays the spirit of initiative and progress. The business was started in Racine about nine years ago and has been developed to one of extensive proportions and success in large measure crowns the efforts of the members of this firm. Isidor Friedman, who is head of The Friedman Company, was born in Germany in 1854 and … Read more

Biography of John E. Rowlands

John E. Rowlands, one of the well known, prominent and successful representatives of the real estate and insurance business in Racine, has concentrated his efforts upon this field of activity since January, 1907, when he retired from the position of register of deeds. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, December 18, 1856, a son of David W. and Mary E. (Jehu) Rowlands, both of whom were natives of Wales and when young people came to the new world, being married at Southport, Wisconsin. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Jehu, who about 1839 brought his family … Read more

Biography of Lucius H. Perkins

Lucius H. Perkins, who resided at Lawrence from 1877 until his accidental death on June 1, 1907, contributed much more to the life of Kansas than the achievements of an able lawyer, great as those were and much as they distinguished him in professional circles. By his varied attainments and accomplishments, by his interest in literature and the broader humanities, he singularly enriched the thought and public opinions of his times. In a generation when the thoughts and energies of the people of Kansas were necessarily concentrated upon the fundamental problems of existence and constructive business, he exemplified that better … Read more