Racine County WI

Biography of Frank J. Luxem

Frank J. Luxem, representing commercial interests of Racine as a wholesale dealer in fruits, was born September 25, 1871, in the city in which he still resides, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Kemmer) Luxem. The father, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to the new world in early life, establishing his home in Racine in pioneer times. For a number of years he was proprietor of the leading hotel of the city but afterward entered the employ of A. P. Dickey, with whom he remained for thirty-two years as a pattern maker, retiring from business about, two … 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 J. A. Schmitz

J. A. Schmitz, secretary and treasurer of the Arnold Electric Company, was born in Racine, March 9, 1862, a son of Nicholas Schmitz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, George C. Schmitz. The educational opportunities afforded J. A. Schmitz were those to he obtained in the public and parochial schools of Racine and upon attaining his majority he went, in 1883, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he accepted a position and also pursued a course in a business college. Later he opened a real estate office in that city and after … Read more

Biography of John H. Broecker

While a well known and successful manufacturer of Racine, John H. Broecker is perhaps equally well known in musical circles and also through his connection with the public interests of the community. He was born in Germany, April 7, 1850. a son of John and Elizabeth Broecker, who came to Racine in 1854. The father was a cabinetmaker and became a contractor with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, retaining that connection for many years but both he and his wife are now deceased. John H. Broecker attended the parochial and public schools of Racine and for fifteen years … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lawrence R. Larsen

Lawrence R. Larsen, accounted one of the enterprising young business men of Racine, was born in this city, March 23, 1897, a son of Martin and Johanna Larsen, who are natives of Denmark. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to become residents of the new world, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities on this side the water than the father could hope to secure in his native land. Making their way to Racine, they have since resided in this city and Mr. Larsen is now engaged in the furniture business. Spending his boyhood and youth in Racine, L. R. … Read more

Biography of Walter A. Bull

WALTER A. BULL.- In the gentleman whose name heads this brief memoir, we find one of the most substantial farmers of the Kittitass valley, and the owner of the beautiful ranch, a view of which finds a place in this work. He is a native of Albany, New York, and was born June 20, 1838, being the son of John and Sarah (Fish) Bull. When our subject was ten years of age, he with his parents moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where his father engaged in the shipping business on the lakes, and where Walter attended school and resided until twenty … Read more

Biography of Lucius F. Craves

Lucius F. Craves, president, of the Graves Sign Company, which he organized in 1906, has taken a forward step in his line of work and set a standard which others have followed. He was born on Washington Avenue in Racine, November 24, 1885, and is a son of Horace and Mary (Sherman) Craves, who were natives of Lowell, Massachusetts, and became residents of Racine about forty-five years ago. The father still remains an active business man here and was a contractor for the American Seating Company, while at the present time he is with the Belle City Manufacturing Company. The … Read more

Biography of David F. Griswold

David F. Griswold, city editor of the Racine Journal, has been connected with newspaper publication since beginning his independent career and now ranks among the leaders in that field in the city of Racine. His birth occurred here on the 26th of December, 1854, and he is a son of Nelson A. and Jane (Wilson) Griswold, who removed to this city in 1850. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and was employed in the construction of some of the first vessels built in Racine. He passed away in 1856 and his wife five years ago. David F. Griswold, … Read more

Biography of Edward Brice

Edward Brice is the owner of an excellent farm situated on section 7 of Raymond Township and thereon he is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and dairying. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, December 2, 1858, his parents being Thomas and Alice (Drought) Brice. The mother was a native of Ireland but was only two weeks old when she was brought by her family to the new world. Her parents first settled in Canada, where they remained until she was twelve years of age. Mrs. Brice then came to Racine County with her brother, making the journey in an … Read more

Biography of Lucius S. Blake

Upon the pioneer history of Racine is written the name of Lucius S. Blake, a name that is closely associated with its annals and one that was ever synonymous with progress and improvement. He was descended from New England ancestry, the line being traced back through successive generations to Bradbury Blake, a native of New Hampshire, who married Sarah Hilton and removed to Vermont where their son, Captain Levi Blake, was born and reared. He removed to Erie County, New York, then the far west, and in that locality wedded Mary Sanford, a native of the Empire state. At the … Read more

Biography of Frederick J. Hansche

That Frederick J. Hansche was an industrious and enterprising business man is indicated in the, fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of an excellent property of one hundred and twelve acres, although when he first came to Racine County he had to earn his living by working as a farm hand. He was born in Germany on the 17th of October, 1837, and in that country acquired a common school education. About 1865 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for a year thereafter was a resident of Cincinnati. He then came … Read more

Biography of Orville L. Parmenter

Orville L. Parmenter, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Paper Goods Company, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Austin W. and Sarah (Calkins) Parmenter, both being representatives of old families of that city. The father was a pioneer lime manufacturer. Reared in Cleveland, the son attended the public schools there and after arriving at years of maturity was married in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1872, to Miss Jennie McBride, of Wooster, Ohio. a daughter of Henry and Martha (Spink) McBride, of New York, the latter a daughter of General Spink, of Revolutionary War fame. To Mr. and … Read more

Biography of W. G. Edwards

W. G. Edwards, who followed the acquirement of his education in the district schools, took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed his home being near Kansasville, was born in Dover Township on the 18th of March, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Martha (Mayo) Edwards, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Dover Township, Racine County, and the father purchased land from the government. He was a son of Thomas and Susan Edwards, who established their home in Dover … 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

Biography of Gerald Francis Wilson

Gerald Francis Wilson. Among the contributing factors to progress and prosperity in Clay County are the newspapers, and in taking them into account the Leader, at Longford, should by no means be overlooked. It is a live, wide-awake, progressive journal becanse such are the characteristics of its able editor and manager, Gerald Francis Wilson, who had the advantage of being a practical printer and before assuming charge of the Leader had had editorial experience. Gerald Francis Wilson was born at Racine, Wisconsin, November 4, 1891. His parents were Fred Morgan and Miranda (Kennedy) Wilson, the latter of whom was born … 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

Biography of Edgar A. Sears

Many of Racine County’s citizens feel that there is no need to seek a location elsewhere because of the excellent opportunities here offered for business advancement, owing to the naturally rich condition of the soil. Among this number is Edgar A. Sears, who has always lived in Caledonia Township, his birth having occurred on his father’s farm January 23, 1880. His father, Daniel Sears, was also born in Caledonia Township, his natal year being 1846, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Mann, was born in 1856. The former was a son of Lewis Sears, a native … Read more

Biography of Joseph O. Kennedy

Joseph O. Kennedy, vice president of the Racine Carriage Company, came to his present position after long connection and broad experience with the Sattley Company, carriage manufacturers, of this city. He is now concentrating his efforts upon the further development of the trade, reaching out along modern commercial lines for that success which is the direct outcome of close application, unfaltering diligence and unremitting energy. Mr. Kennedy was born in Franklin County, Missouri, June 24, 1877, a son of W. H. and Virginia Kennedy, who are still occupying the farm upon which they have lived for a half century, near … Read more

Biography of Edward N. Rice

Edward N. Rice, deputy superintendent at Racine for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, has been connected with the insurance business for a number of years. He was born in Kenosha June 11, 1876, a son of Nicholas and Nellie (Keenen) Rice, the latter also a native of Kenosha. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855, the year before James Buchanan was elected president. He settled in Kenosha, where he still makes his home, and he is now eighty-six years of age, his birth having occurred in August, 1830. His wife passed … Read more

Biography of Fred Krenzke

Fred Krenzke has built up and is successfully conducting an extensive dairy business, which he started in 1901 and which has grown steadily since. He was born in Racine, February 20, 1876, a son of August and Minnie (Reinke) Krenzke, both of whom were natives of Pommern, Germany. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became residents of Racine about 1868 or 1869, their marriage being celebrated in this city. The father is a wagon maker by trade, but during the past thirty years has been engaged in farming near Racine, conducting his place now … Read more