Racine County WI

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 Vyvyan

James Vyvyan, a well known and highly respected farmer of Raymond Township, was born on the 7th of May, 1856, in the Township where he still resides, his present home being near Franksville. He is a son of William and Matilda (Greggs) Vyvyan, both of whom were natives of England, but they were married in Yorkville Township, Racine County, Wisconsin, where William Vyvyan established his home in 1842. He was empty handed when he crossed the Atlantic to the New World, but he hoped that he might find in this country the opportunities which would bring him substantial success, nor … Read more

Biography of F. J. Kidd

F. J. Kidd, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Manufacturing Company, is thus connected with one of the leading manufacturing interests of the city and that he has a large share in the control and management of the undertaking is indicative of his initiative and resourcefulness. He is constantly alert to opportunities which bring to him a broader outlook and he carefully utilizes every chance for advancement. Moreover, his business interests are of a character which contributes to public prosperity as well as to individual success. Mr. Kidd was born at St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, July 16. 1880, a son … Read more

Biography of Walter F. Walker

Walter F. Walker, president of the American Skein & Foundry Company, has developed the business to substantial proportions and has won a place among the representative manufacturers of the city during the eleven years of his residence in Racine. He was born in Dundee, Illinois. December 6. 1871. a son of William E. and Mary C. (Foster) Walker. The father has now retired from active business but still makes his home in Dundee. In the public schools of his native city Walter F. ‘Walker pursued his education and also attended business college. His activity throughout his business career has always … 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

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

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 Julius T. Foster

Julius T. Foster, chief engineer of the waterworks of Racine, his native city, was born September 16, 1S49, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Hawthorn) Foster, the former a native of London, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married, however, in England and in 1845 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming residents of Racine. The father was proprietor of the Western Hotel and so continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. The business was then continued by the mother and her sons, who conducted the hotel for a long period, … Read more

Biography of John A. Beecher

John A. Beecher, a prominent and influential citizen of Norway Township who owns and operates a farm on section 26, was born in that Township March 12, 1883, his parents being Jacob and Rachel (Dalzell) Beecher. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this County, where his father was born in 1843. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and on coming to America first located in New York State. At a very early day in the development of this County he came west and took up government land here, continuing to reside thereon … Read more

Biography of John O. Jones

John O. Jones, conducting an extensive contracting business under the name of the Western Improvement Company, has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions in street paving, a business that extends over many adjoining states. Mr. Jones was born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, on the 23d of June, 1856, and is a son of Owen and Ann (Jones) Jones, both representatives of old families that have lived in that section of Wales for hundreds of years. The family on one side was farmers and on the other was granite quarrymen. The parents of John O. Jones spent their entire … Read more

Biography of David H. Flett

David H. Flett, attorney at law, was born at Kirkwell, Scotland, September 12, 1846, and came with his parents to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in September, 1855. His early education was acquired in the district schools, after which he attended the Racine high school for two terms, and in 1875 he was graduated at the Oberlin (Ohio) College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. That same year he was elected superintendent of schools for Kenosha County and held the office until 1877. He was then principle of the high school at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, until 1879, and in 1880 graduated in … Read more

Biography of Ellis J. Gittins

Ellis J. Gittins, vice president of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, is a representative of that class of men whose life histories indicate the opportunities that are before the ambitious, energetic American youth. Starting upon his business career in a humble connection with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, through the steps of an orderly progression he has advanced until he occupies the second position in the great corporation, with control over its sales. Mr. Gittins was born in Racine County, December 13. 1867, a son of Ellis and Jane (Gittins) Gittins, both of whom were natives … Read more

Biography of Edward Zahn

Edward Zahn, organizer and proprietor of the Zahn Dry Goods Company, has continuously been at the head of this business which is now one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. It was organized in 1898 and through the intervening period of eighteen years has been developed in accordance with modern commercial methods. Edward Zahn was born in Walworth County, this state, on the 3d of April, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Eliza Zahn. The father, a native of Germany, was born in 1823, and came to America in the year 1841, settling in Cincinnati, where … 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

Biography of Samuel Steele

The demise of Samuel Steele, a well known resident of Mount Pleasant Township, was deeply regretted, for he was recognized as a successful farmer, a good citizen and a man of sterling qualities. He was born in Ireland, December 25, 1822, and began his education there, but when ten years old came to America and for several years attended school in Rochester, New York. In early manhood he took up the profession of school teaching, being so employed in Tennessee for several years and in Racine County, Wisconsin. He arrived here in 1847 and after dividing his time between teaching … Read more

Biography of Henry Crane

Henry Crane, who is engaged in the butchering business in Franksville, has been a lifelong resident of Racine County, his birth having occurred in Dover Township, January 25, 1848. His parents were William and Caroline (Sparks) Crane, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England, and about the year 1844 arrived in Racine County, settling in Dover, where the father purchased government land. He had about three hundred acres ere his death, constituting a valuable farming property, which indicated what might be accomplished through energy, determination and close application, for when he came to the new world he was in … 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 Dennis E. Fitzgerald

Dennis E. Fitzgerald, who on the 1st of May, 1912, was made city sealer of weights and measures and has continued in this position through the intervening years, was born in Racine, May 1, 1881, a son of Morris and Mary (Green) Fitzgerald, both of whom were natives of Ireland. As young people, they came to the United States and were married at Fall River, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil war the father served the Union cause as a member of the navy. In 1880 he came to Racine, where he engaged in business as a contractor in … Read more

Biography of A. H. Thomas

A. H. Thomas, occupying an attractive and beautiful residence at the corner of Ninth street and Grand avenue, in Racine, is widely known throughout the middle west in connection with engineering and contract work, and in fact his reputation in this connection extends much farther than the states of the Mississippi valley. His pronounced ability and indefatigable energy are the basic principles of his success. He was born in Detroit. Michigan, October 1. 1871, and is a son of John P. and Emma. (Vogel) Thomas. The father, a marine engineer, devoted his life to that business, but both he and … Read more