Racine County WI

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 P. H. Adland

An excellent farm property of one hundred and eighty-five acres, splendidly improved, pays tribute to P. H. Adland, who is the owner thereof. For many years he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits but is now largely living retired, receiving an excellent income from his holdings. His parents were Thomas and Julia (Nelson) Adland, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was born near Bergen, August 12, 1831, a son of Mons K. and Ellen (Thompson) Adland. Mons K. Adland was born and reared in Bergen, where he obtained a public school education, and although he became familiar … Read more

Biography of John Pugh

John Pugh, of Racine, who is filling the office of state game warden of Wisconsin, was born September 1, 1847, in the city in which he still makes his home. Almost three score years and ten have since come and gone and he has witnessed remarkable changes as the state has become thickly settled and the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward. His parents were James and Jeanette (Hughes) Pugh, both of whom were natives of Wales, but they were married in this County. The father on coming to the United States settled first in Utica, New … Read more

Biography of John Storm

John Storm, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying on section 28, Norway Township, is a native of Wisconsin, his birth occurring in Milwaukee on the 13th of July, 1857. His parents, Frederick and Christina Storm, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1816 and the latter in 1836. Coming to the new world in early life, they were married in Milwaukee, where they made their home for a time. When a young man the father cut cordwood during the winter months at twenty-eight cents a cord and during the summer season worked in a brickyard. Subsequently … Read more

Biography of Nicholas F. Reichert

Nicholas F. Reichert was a substantial, enterprising and progressive business man whose residence in Racine dated from the pioneer period. He was a native son of the city, born April 24, 1854, a son of Frederick Reichert, one of the pioneer residents. who arrived in Racine in 1840 and became identified with the agricultural development of the district. The son was educated in the schools of his home locality and was reared to the occupation of an agriculturist, having the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the … Read more

Biography of George Schneider

George Schneider, one of the wholesale liquor merchants of Racine, was born February 18, 1869, in the city in which he still lives, his parents being Henry and Charlotte (Beyer) Schneider, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father crossed the Atlantic to Canada when a youth of thirteen years and soon afterward came to the United States, making his way to Racine where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1889. During the period of his residence in this city he engaged in the grocery business and was well known as one of the … Read more

Biography of Clinton Skewes

Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine County, Wisconsin. The father … 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

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 Adolph W. Hilker

Adolph W. Hilker is a partner in the firm of Hilker Brothers, of Racine. The name has long been synonymous with business enterprise in this city and the record of A. W. Hilker fully sustains the enviable reputation which has ever been associated with the commercial and industrial enterprises conducted by the Hilker family. He was born in Racine, December 25, 1867, and is a son of Adolph and Caroline (Broeker) Hilker, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of his brother, H. A. Hilker. After attending the public schools A. … 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 William Horlick

William Horlick, of Racine, is numbered among the constructive business men of the country, as he founded and has built up the Horlick Malted Milk Company, of which he is now treasurer. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, February 23, 1846, and is the youngest of the nine children born to his parents, James and Priscilla (Griffiths) Horlick. The family is one of the oldest in England and the following account of its history is taken from Burke’s Peerage: “The family name of Harlech or Horlick is of Norman-French derivation, and the natural conclusion drawn is that the Harlechs or … Read more

Biography of Augustus B. Crane

No history of the pioneer development of Racine County would be complete were there failure to make reference to Augustus B. Crane, who arrived here in 1839 and continued to make his home within the borders of the County for nearly seven decades. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1823, and at an early age was left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Racine County in 1839, and throughout his remaining days was closely identified with the agricultural progress of his community. … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Moritz

While Joseph J. Moritz made a humble start in business life, he has for a number of years occupied a position of trust and responsibility that indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, for since 1909 he has been secretary of the hoard of education in Racine, his native city. He was born on the 30th of April, 1883, a son of Michael and Anna (Heaton) Moritz. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and about 1869 arrived in Racine, where he followed the machinist’s trade, which he had previously learned. He afterward turned his attention to … 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 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 Henry F. Herrick

Henry F. Herrick was formerly engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties, but since 1909 has lived retired, enjoying well deserved leisure. His birth occurred in Racine on the 10th of November. 1847, and his parents were Charles and Anna (Ball) Herrick, natives respectively of Westford, Massachusetts, and New York. The father became one of the capitalists of Racine, holding title to a large amount of real estate in this city and in the state of Nebraska and elsewhere, and served as vice-president of the First National Bank of Racine. He was always willing to promote the public welfare in … Read more

Biography of George L. Buck

George L. Buck, president of the Racine Iron & Wire Works, is actuated in all that. he does by a spirit of indefatigable enterprise and during the decade in which he has been at the head of his present interests has so directed the course of his activities that his labors have spelled success. One of New England’s native sons, he was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1865, a son of David and Charlotte (Olin) Buck, the former of Welsh descent, while the latter was of Scotch lineage, although both families have long been represented in the United States. The … 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 Henry August Hilker

Watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, wide-awake and alert, Henry August Hilker has so directed his efforts that success in substantial measure is now within his grasp and his business activities furthermore are of a character that contributes to public prosperity as well as to the advancement of personal interests. He is today manager of the Red Seal Oil Company and for a long period has been connected with the manufacture and sale of brick in Racine. At the present time he is platting and developing a fine summer resort. Racine claims Mr. Hilker as a native son; he … Read more