Racine County WI

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

Biographical Sketch of Edward A. Merritt

Merritt, Edward A.; sec’y and treas. The Cleveland Stone Co.; born, Marquette, Mich., Feb. 12, 1862; son of Daniel H. and Harriett L. Merritt; educated, public schools and Racine College, Racine, Wis.; came to Cleveland, took course in Bryant Stratton and Smith Business College; returned to Marquette, and was in business with his father; married, Dec. 15, 1886, Matildia Huntington, of Cleveland; issue, one daughter, deceased; came back to Cleveland in 1888, as asst. treas. for the Cleveland Stone Co.; also auditor and stockholder and director, connected with the Company for over twenty-four years.

Biography of Samuel C. Johnson

One of the most venerable business men of Racine is Samuel C. Johnson, whose career is a notable one. Few men of his years-he is now eighty-three -continue in business and his record should put to shame many a man of less resolute purpose who, grown weary of the struggle of business life, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear. Old age, however, does not necessarily suggest weakness or want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years passes on and gives out of its rich stores … 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 Harold H. Hart

Thorough technical and scientific training as well as broad practical experience well qualified Harold H. Hart for the conduct of the important and extensive business which he is conducting as president of the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company, whose output of Indian blankets makes theirs the foremost establishment of this kind in the country. Mr. Hart is a native of Racine, born July 3, 1882, and is a son of Sands M. and Stella M. (Blake) Hart. A history of his parents and of both his paternal and maternal grandparents is given in this volume, showing him to be descended from … Read more

Biography of A. Arthur Guilbert

A. Arthur Guilbert, whose high rank and undeniable skill as an architect enables him to command a most liberal patronage and the evidence of whose ability is found in many of the leading structures of this city, was born in Racine, August. 8. 1869, a son of Albert W. and Celia M. (Pease) Guilbert. The father, also a native of Racine, was a son of Albert W. Guilbert, who was born on the isle of Guernsey and who in 1838 arrived in Racine, ere the admission of the state into the Union and ere the little village which is now … Read more

Biography of James D. Black

James D. Black, deceased, was for many years a resident of Racine and such were his sterling qualities that he enjoyed the friendship and high regard of many with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Winchester, Virginia, February 14, 1844, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Stipe) Black. The father was a son of a soldier of the War of 1812 and was of Scotch descent. He learned the blacksmith’s trade and in June, 1844, he removed with his family to Marseilles, Illinois, where he lived for about a year and then went to Ogle … Read more

Biography of Robert G. Nelson

Robert G. Nelson, active in the field of real estate, insurance and loans in Racine, was born in this city September 14, 1877, a son of Simon N. and Sophia (Weaver) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Christiania, Norway. When young they came to the United States and were married in Chicago, but in the early ’70s removed to Racine. The father was a sailor and became the owner of several boats. He commanded the Caledonia as its captain and was also captain of the I. L. Shanks, in which he owned a half interest. His entire life was … Read more

Biography of E. J. Botting

One of the leading agriculturists and progressive citizens of Caledonia Township is E. J. Botting, whose splendidly improved property indicates the spirit of enterprise that actuates him at every point in his career. He was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, July 4, 1858, a son of James and Caroline (Blake) Botting, who were natives of Kent, England. The former was a son of Edward Botting, who (lied in that country. James Botting was born in 1824, and in his native County of Kent married Caroline Blake, whose birth occurred in 1829. They came to the United States in 1857 and … Read more

Biography of Robert Benjamin West

Robert Benjamin West, whose time is busily occupied with the care of a farm of seventy-one acres, which he cultivates according to modern scientific methods productive of excellent results, is one -of the native sons of Racine County, born June 21, 1876. His father, Benjamin West, also a well known and highly respected agriculturist of this County, was born in Canada, October 11, 1847, his parents being Thomas and Hannah West, who in 1848 brought their family to Racine County, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers. Securing land, Thomas West devoted his attention to farming in Raymond Township … Read more

Biography of A. J. Williams, M. D.

Rush Medical College of Chicago has sent several of its alumni to Racine and in the field of active practice they have won success and by their careers have conferred honor upon their alma mater. Such is the record of Dr. A. J. Williams, who, since 1900, has practiced continuously in Racine. He is a native son of this city born November 18, 1872, his parents being Thomas R. and Eliza (Williams) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Racine. She was a daughter of William J. Williams, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed … Read more

Biography of Henry W. Sheriff

Henry W. Sheriff, a farmer residing near Franksville, was born in Caledonia, Township, December 27, 1860, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Thompson) Sheriff. The father, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1835, reached the age of seventy-four years, passing away in 1909, while his wife, who was born in Toronto, Canada in May, 1840, died August 22, 1915. They were married in Iowa and in 1859 became residents of Caledonia Township, Racine County, where the father first engaged in business as a teamster. In 1862, however, he invested the money which he had saved from his earnings in … 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 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 Herman O. Wadewitz

Herman O. Wadewitz, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Trunk Company identified with this industry for more than three decades and has contributed much to the success which has made it an important business concern of Racine. He was born in Port Washington, Wisconsin, July 26, 1865, a son or John F. Wadewitz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. With the removal of the family to Racine he obtained a public school education here and was twenty years of age when he started in the trunk manufacturing business, becoming one of the organizers of the Racine Trunk Company, which … Read more

Biography of John G. Eager

John G. Eager is classed with the most enterprising business men of Racine. He is a partner of Bert E. Dunn in the ownership and conduct of the Elite Laundry and in this connection they have developed a business of extensive proportions. Their life history in its unfolding shows steady and consecutive development and cannot fail to prove of interest as it indicates the opportunities that lie before the American youth. Mr. Eager was born in Matamoras, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1876, and is a son of Charles L. and Roxana (Price) Eager, who in the year 1891 removed westward to … 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 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 William Meadows

William Meadows is a brick and tile manufacturer of Burlington but leaves the active management of the business to his sons, for he is now well advanced in years and deserves to enjoy the rest which he has truly earned. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 6, 1833, a son of George and Elizabeth (Greenwood) Meadows. The father, who come of an old English family, was foreman of a cotton manufacturing company of England, where he remained until 1842, when he came to the United States and settled at Burlington Flats, Otsego County, New York, bringing the family to … Read more

Biography of John Stott Blakey

John Stott Blakey has for many years been prominent in the town of Union Grove, where he is identified with the milling business, with banking and with civic and moral progress. A native of Racine County, he was born within a mile and a half of Union Grove, on the 23rd of September, 1847, a son of Thomas and Mary (Stott) Blakey, both of whom were born in Rochedale, Lancashire, England. The father, whose natal year was 1826, was a son of John and Mary Blakey, the former a butcher by occupation. Thomas Blakey learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he … Read more