Racine County WI

Biographical Sketch of Henry C. Miller

In pioneer times the Miller family, of which Henry C. Miller is a representative. was established in Racine and from that date to the present the name has figured prominently in connection with the development of the city’s manufacturing interests. Henry C. Miller, now one of the partners and officers in the J. Miller Company. has been identified with the shoe manufacturing business from the age of seventeen years. He was born in Racine, August 27, 1862, and supplemented his public school course by study in the McMynn Academy. When seventeen years of age he entered his father’s shoe manufacturing … Read more

Biography of David Hetzel

It is seldom that a man of eighty years is found still actively engaged in business, but David Hetzel still figures in the commercial circles of Racine and for almost forty years has conducted business at one location as proprietor of a men’s furnishing goods and tailoring establishment. He was born on the 5th of March, 1836, so that he is now an octogenarian. In the home of his parents, John and Barbara Hetzel, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth to the age of sixteen years, when he determined to try his fortune in the new world … Read more

Biography of Peter T. Stoffel

Peter T. Stoffel, who for thirty years has been engaged in the dry goods trade in Racine, has contributed in large measure to the substantial growth of the business, which is among the foremost enterprises of this character in the city. His course at all times measures up to high commercial standards and he follows the most modern methods of merchandising, the salient features of his success being unremitting enterprise, judicious advertising and honorable dealing. Mr. Stoffel was born in Racine, July 8, 1864. a son of Nicholas J. and Juliana Maria (Schmidt) Stoffel, both of whom were natives of … 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

Biographical Sketch of John Henneke

Among the pioneer settlers of this County who have passed to the home beyond, but whose life’s labors contributed to the development and substantial upbuilding of the district, is numbered John Henneke, who was born in Germany in 1811. His youthful days were spent in the acquirement of a Common school education, after which he joined the army and served as an officer. At length he determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in the ’40s crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way to Racine County. His first purchase of land made him owner … Read more

Biography of Leo F. Miller Jr.

Leo F. Miller. Jr., president of the Commercial Press Company, was born in Racine on the 13th of March. 1885, and is one of the enterprising and progressive young business men in this city, alert and energetic and watchful of all opportunities pointing toward further prosperity. He is a brother of Frank H. Miller and a son of Leo F. and Theresa Miller, Sr., mentioned in connection with his brother’s sketch on another page of this work. The family was of the Catholic faith and therefore he was sent to St. Joseph’s parochial school, wherein he acquired his education. Afterward … 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 William Wellborn Acklam

Throughout practically his entire life William Wellborn Acklam has been a resident of Racine County and from the age of fifteen years has been dependent upon his own resources, being therefore a self-made man. He was born July 27, 1854, of the marriage of George and Harriett (Bean) Acklam, and in his youthful days attended the common schools of Racine and afterward the district schools of Mount Pleasant Township, but his textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of fifteen and he started out in business on his own account. For two years he worked in the lumber … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Norbert Grabher

Norbert Grabher, who was formerly identified with industrial interests in Racine for many years, is now living upon a farm of seventeen acres on section 37, Mount Pleasant Township, where he has a fine home. He was born in Austria, November 9, 1855, and is a son of Jerome and Katrina Grabher. He attended the common schools to the age of twelve years and afterward worked upon the home farm and throughout the locality as a farm hand until about twenty-five years of age. It was in 18S2 that he crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Philadelphia, and through … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Larkin

William H. Larkin, who dates his residence in Racine from 1914, is now a partner in the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, in which undertaking he is associated with William P. Heckel. He was born in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. April 5. 1890, and obtained his early education in the public schools there, after which he entered the Lewis Institute of Chicago and was graduated in 1909 on the completion of a course in electrical engineering. He received mechanical training also and for two years was employed by the American Can Company of Chicago at their factory in Maywood. … Read more

Biography of Hon. W. H. Bell

Hon. W. H. Bell, whose operations in the real estate field have contributed much to the development of the city, has also been prominently connected with the upbuilding of Racine through his activity in the political field, doing important work as a member of the city council, while upon the legislative records of the state he has left the impress of his individuality. A native of England, he was born in Liverpool on the 8th of August, 1863, and is a son of John and Ellen (Rushton) Bell. The father was a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and after removing to … 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

Biography of Carl Mickelsen

On starting out in life Carl Mickelsen realized fully that if success was to be his it must be gained through earnest, persistent and unfaltering effort, and thus it is that he has worked diligently year after year, making steady progress until now he is the owner of a very desirable farm of eighty-four acres situated on section 27, Mount Pleasant Township, and supplied with many modern improvements and equipments. He has been a resident of this section of the state from the age of twenty years. He was born in Lolland, Denmark, September 5, 1866, and is a son … Read more

Biography of William H. Carpenter

For twenty years William H. Carpenter has been engaged in the real estate business on his own account in Racine and is now senior partner in the firm of Carpenter & Rowland with offices at 610 Main Street. He was born in Manteno, Illinois, September 10, 1872, a son of William I. and Eva M. (Shaw) Carpenter, who were natives of New York and of Maine, respectively. In early life they became residents of Illinois, and on the 1st of September, 1874, removed to Racine. The father was a tinsmith by trade and for many years was employed by the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Wallace Hunter

William Wallace Hunter has been a lifelong resident of Raymond Township. He was born on the old family homestead October 4, 1862, his parents being William and Andica (Boyd) Hunter, who are mentioned above. He is indebted to the district school system for educational privileges which were accorded him and he began life on a farm, choosing to follow the occupation to which he had been reared. He has since carried on general farming and dairying and he keeps on hand a good grade of Holstein cattle. He is now operating eighty acres and the tract is in a high … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Henry Eichhorn

Eichhorn, Charles Henry; banker; born, Racine, Wis., Jan. 17, 1859; son of Jacob and Clara Elizabeth Behring Eichhorn; educated, Cleveland public schools, graduated from West High, in 1879; married, Cleveland, June 27, 1894, Lulu J. Challacombe; one son, 9 years old; taught school Delray, Mich., 1879 to 1882; Cleveland public schools. 1882-1886; sec ‘y to supt. of Schools. 1886-1892; sec’y The Brooklyn Building & Loan Ass’n Co., 1892 to present date; cashier The State Banking & Trust Co.; director The Masonic Temple Ass’n; 33rd° Mason; Past Grand Commander, Knight Templars of Ohio; 1st Lieut. Commander Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. … Read more

Biography of Francis George Klein

It is seldom that one of eighty-three years is found active in business life, but such is the record of Francis George Klein, who still gives supervision to his commercial and manufacturing interests, his sons, however, being his active associates and assistants in the conduct of the interests which are carried on under the name of the F. G. Klein Company at Burlington. A native of France, he was born in St. John, Alsace, February 5, 1833, a son of Francis and Mary Ann (Wagner) Klein, the former born at Eckerzweilver and the latter at St. John, in Alsace. The … Read more

Biography of A. C. Mehder

A. C. Mehder, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Mehder Dry Goods Company, occupies a prominent position among the alert, enterprising and progressive merchants of Racine and his life history is indicative of the opportunities that are offered in the new world to the young man of foreign birth who, prompted by ambition and guided by sound judgment, puts forth earnest effort to win prosperity. Mr. Mehder was born in Denmark, October 20, 1870. a son of L. T. H. and Caroline Mehder, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, where the father conducted business as a merchant tailor. Through … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Johnson

There is probably no better known or more highly esteemed citizen residing in Norway Township than Henry F. Johnson, whose farm is on section 12. He was born in an old log house in that Township March 5, 1860, and is a son of Ole and Julia (Beckjord) Johnson, both natives of Norway. In that country his paternal grandfather, John Johnson, spent his entire life. Ole Johnson was born February 2, 1808, and was thirty years of age on coming to the United States in 1838. He first located in Chicago, where he worked for some time, and there he … Read more

Biography of George B. Vyvyan

George B. Vyvyan owns eighty acres of good land in Yorkville Township and is extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, which business he has found highly profitable. A native of Racine County he was born in Yorkville Township, on the 20th of September, 1885, and is a son of William and Sarah (Beaumont) Vyvyan, the former born in Raymond Township, this County, in 1854, and the latter in Dover Township, in 1860. The paternal grandfather, William Vyvyan, emigrated from England to Racine County and located in Raymond Township. He conducted a meat market in Union Grove for a number … Read more