Racine County WI

Biography of Nels Johnson

For more than a third of a century Nels Johnson has been actively engaged in the coal, wood and coke trade in Racine and the volume of business which he has built up has made the undertaking a very prosperous one. He has lived in this city since 1870. He was born in Denmark on the 16th of March, 1844, and is a son of James and Caroline (Nelson) Johnson, who were likewise natives of Denmark and in 1870 came to the United States, being brought hither by their son. He had acquired his education in the Danish schools and … Read more

Biography of Henry M. Henricksen

Henry M. Henricksen, the senior partner of the firm of Henricksen & Jacobson, wholesale jobbers in groceries, in Racine, is classed with the progressive young business men of this city in which his entire life has been passed. He was born in Racine, September 12, 1888, and is a son of Peter and Cena (Nielsen) Henricksen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, in which country they remained until 1886 and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Racine. During the early period of his residence in this country the father followed farming and lived on the … 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

Biography of Charles F. Barndt

Charles F. Barndt is considered a valuable addition to the business circles of Racine, with which he became identified in October, 1913, when he removed to this city and entered into active trade relations here as the vice president and factory manager of the Racine Manufacturing Company. He was born in a suburb of Philadelphia on the 6th of April, 1876, a son of John G. and Annie M. (Clymer) Barndt. The father was a carriage builder who for many years was connected with the business but is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. He has long … Read more

Biography of Roland J. Scheuss

Roland J. Scheuss, assistant secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, has been one of the most active young men of Racine in efforts to benefit the city along various lines and his work has at all times been prompted by a most public-spirited devotion to the general good. He was born in Racine, December 21, 1889, a son of Jacob and Anna Marie (Goedeke) Scheuss, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. His ancestry in the maternal line has been traced hack to 1463. The parents came to Racine in childhood and the father has … Read more

Biography of Jacob Jacobson

Jacob Jacobson, a member of the wholesale jobbing firm of Henricksen & Jacobson, of Racine, was born on the 31st of October, 1887, in the city in which he still makes his home and conies of Norwegian ancestry, representing in his life many of the sterling traits of the people of the land of the midnight sun. His parents were Andrew and Mary E. (Kittilsen) Jacobson, both of whom were natives of Norway. When young people they came to Racine, arriving in 1883 and here they were married. The father was always a seaman and became captain of the G. … 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 Roy F. Freeman

Roy F. Freeman is now devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits in Mount Pleasant Township, where he has a splendidly developed property of twenty-one acres situated on section 13. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the country and the name has long been prominently associated with industrial activity in Racine. It was in that city that Roy F. Freeman was born. March 21, 1886, his parents being Michael and Lillias Katherine (Porter) Freeman, who were married in Racine on the 15th of September, 1881. The father was born in Centralia, Illinois, January 14, 1860, … Read more

Biography of E. C. Wilson

The old adage that “a prophet is never without honor save in his own country” does not find support in the life record of E. C. Wilson, for in the County in which his entire life has been passed Mr. Wilson has gained recognition as a representative business man, now occupying the responsible position of general superintendent of the J. I. Case Plow Works. He was born in Caledonia Township, Racine County, on the 6th of September, 1870, and is a son of James and Mary Jane Wilson. The father removed to Wisconsin about the time of the Black Hawk … 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

Biographical Sketch of Fred Reichert

Fred Reichert, a well known contractor of Racine, was born November 6, 1886, in this city, his parents being Nichola F. and Catherine (Becker) Reichert, who were also natives of this city. The paternal grandfather, Frederick Reichert, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and in early manhood came to the new world, here following the occupation of farming. He cast in his lot with the early settlers of Racine County and his son, Nichola F., was born and reared on the old homestead farm and became a contractor and builder. He was thus identified with building operations in this County for … 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 Charles Mason Reed

Charles Mason Reed, who is engaged in farming on section 18, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Ontario County, New York, and in his youthful days obtained a common school education. He was but seven years of age when he accompanied his parents, Ezra and Emeline Reed, from the east to Wisconsin, the family home being established on the plank road in Mount Pleasant Township. There they lived for a few years and the father conducted a hotel at Ives Grove. Later he purchased a tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township, upon which he resided until 1865, when he … Read more

Biography of William H. Hetzel

William H. Hetzel, conducting a general contracting electrical business, has been a lifelong resident of Racine, his birth having occurred in this city June 19, 1873, his parents being David and Mary L. (Wilken) Hetzel, who were pioneer residents here, the family having long been represented in Racine, where they have ever stood for substantial development and improvement. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, William H. Hetzel devoted one year of study in the high school and then started out in the business world, taking up carpentering, which he followed for a year. He next turned his attention … Read more

Biography of Morris Jorgensen

Morris Jorgensen, who is successfully engaged in dairying and stock raising in connection with the production of grain in Yorkville Township, was born in Denmark on the 30th of July, 1867. His parents, Flans Mikkel and Lena (Anderson) Jorgensen, were also natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. The father, who was born June 27, 1822, engaged in farming for many years, dying in February, 1909, upon the homestead, which is now in possession of one of his sons. There are eight children living, namely: Richard, who is farming the home place in Denmark: Morris: Antonia, the … 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 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 George Mitchel

George Mitchel, who for twenty-three years has resided upon his present farm in Raymond Township, near Caledonia, has prospered in business because of his close application and untiring energy and a determined purpose to win success if it could be accomplished through diligence and honorable methods. He was born July 8, 1866, in the Township in which he still lives, his parents being Christian and Fredrica (.Minter) Mitchel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The latter was born in 1818, and passed away in 1892, but the mother, whose birth occurred in 1835, is still living. They were married … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jerome J. Foley

Jerome J. Foley, one of the younger members of the Racine bar, who, however, has already gained for himself a place as a practitioner in the courts of his district, was born in Racine, November 14, 1886, a son of Edmond and Mary (Rooney) Foley, who were natives of Ireland and Racine, respectively. In the ’70s the father arrived in this city, where he conducted business as a mechanic. He married Mary Rooney, a daughter of James Rooney, who came to Racine in 1855 and was also a mechanic. In his youthful days Jerome J. Foley attended St. Patrick’s parochial … Read more

Biography of John F. Cheves

The fanning interests of Norway Township have a worthy representative in John F. Cheves, who owns and operates a well improved farm on section 35. He has been a lifelong resident of that Township, his birth occurring there on the 4th of March, 1852. His parents, Patrick Gray and Elizabeth (Smith) Chews, were both natives of Aberdeen, Scotland, but were married in Kenosha, Wisconsin, having come to America in early life. The father was born in 1833 and was only eight years of age when he became a resident of Racine County in 1841. A year later he located upon … Read more