Racine County WI

Biography of Leon Misslin

The career of any pioneer is interesting. An account of that of Leon Misslin will be found especially so to the many who know and respect him for his many good qualities of head and heart. He came into the “wilds of Idaho” eight years before the government surveyed the land, and as a pioneer had many thrilling experiences and encountered numerous hardships and over-came many obstacles. The story of his struggles and triumphs, could it be given in full, would be of the greatest interest. Leon Misslin was born at Nantes, Loire, France, a son of J. A. and … Read more

Biography of C. K. Hahn, M. D.

Dr. C. K. Hahn, successfully engaged in the general practice of medicine in Racine, was born in Germany, on the 16th of August, 1868, a son of A. and Helena Hahn, both of whom have departed this life. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, he determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and in preparation therefore entered the Wurzburg, (Bavaria) Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. Hoping to obtain better advantages for professional advancement in the new world he crossed the Atlantic in 1896 and for a year thereafter … Read more

Biography of Peter Christiansen

Peter Christiansen, a member of the Junction Furniture Company, owes his success to the fact that he has always been a willing worker, not afraid of that laborious attention to business which is the basis of all honorable success. He was born in Denmark, May 10, 1869, and is a son of H. P. and Anna Marie (Stage) Christiansen, both of whom spent their entire lives in Denmark. It was in the fall of 1889, when a young man of twenty years, that Peter Christiansen came to the United States. He sailed for eight months on the Atlantic as a … 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 Hon. J. H. Kamper

Hon. J. H. Kamper, who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits near North Cape, was born in Denmark, December 17, 1857, a son of Peter H. and Christina (Rasmussen) Kamper. The father was born in Denmark in 1822 and died in the year 1896, while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1820, passed away in 1894. They were married in Denmark and in 1866 became residents of Yorkville Township, Racine County, where Mr. Kamper rented land. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Raymond Township, a tract of fifty acres, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. He was a member of … Read more

Biography of Edward D. Davis

A substantial proportion of the citizenship of Mount Pleasant Township has come from Wales, being a representative of a Welsh emigration either in the first or second generation. Edward D. Davis, born near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, lived for many years on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, and was regarded as one of its substantial and worthy citizens, continuing his residence there up to the time of his death. His birth occurred in January, 1831, and he obtained a common school education in his native land, there remaining until he reached the age of seventeen, when in 1848 he crossed … Read more

Biography of William Hunter

William Hunter was engaged in farming near Franksville and is now living retired. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, September 15, 1829, a son of James and Jane (Hasty) Hunter. They were also natives of Dumfriesshire, the land of hills and heather. At an early day in the development of Racine County they established their home in Yorkville Township, becoming pioneer settlers of that region. William Hunter is the only survivor of their family of eight children. The father had forty acres of land, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian Church and … Read more

Biography of Lucius F. Craves

Lucius F. Craves, president, of the Graves Sign Company, which he organized in 1906, has taken a forward step in his line of work and set a standard which others have followed. He was born on Washington Avenue in Racine, November 24, 1885, and is a son of Horace and Mary (Sherman) Craves, who were natives of Lowell, Massachusetts, and became residents of Racine about forty-five years ago. The father still remains an active business man here and was a contractor for the American Seating Company, while at the present time he is with the Belle City Manufacturing Company. The … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alfred J. Hansche

Alfred J. Hansche, the second son of Frederick J. Hansche, now occupies and cultivates the old home farm in connection with his brother, Samuel H. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, February 28, 1874, and attended the district schools until he reached the age of sixteen or seventeen years. He then went to Racine, where he was employed for nine years in the meat market of A. J. Sheckler but on the expiration of that period he returned to the home farm, of which he has since had charge in connection with his brother. They have carefully and systematically … 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 Fred C. Goff

For forty years Fred C. Goff has been continuously connected with the shoe trade and is now secretary and treasurer of the Racine Shoe Manufacturing Company. The thoroughness with which be has mastered every phase of the business has been one of the strong forces in his growing success and he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful business man who, in all of his dealings, is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen. Mr. Goff was born in Steuben County, New York, November … Read more

Biography of Hon. John B. Simmons

Hon. John B. Simmons, whose writings were valuable contributions to legal literature and whose career as a member of the bar has reflected credit and honor upon the profession, has engaged in practice in Racine since 1898, being now senior partner in the firm of Simmons & Walker. He was born in McHenry County, Illinois, October 26, 1S51, a son of James and Catherine (McCotter) Simmons, both of whom were natives of Vermont. Upon removing to the middle west in 1842 James Simmons resided for a time at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, but afterward took up his abode in McHenry County. … Read more

Biography of Samuel E. Hollick

Samuel E. Hollick, who on the first of January, 1915, assumed the duties of the office of sheriff, to which he had been elected in the fall of the previous year, was born near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of September, 1875, a son of Leonard and Barbara (Fogel) Rollick, who in the year 1881 removed to Ohio and after a residence of ten years in that state went to Michigan. The mother has passed away but the father still survives. Samuel E. Hollick was a little lad of but six years when the family home was established in the … 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 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 Lillian Watts

Miss Lillian Watts, the most prominent figure in musical circles in Racine and widely known in this connection elsewhere, is identified with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Marquette Conservatory of Music, and is also director of music in the public schools of Racine. She is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. and a daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor (Jones) Watts, both of ‘whom were natives of Wales, and the father came of Scotch-Welsh parentage, in early manhood Ebenezer Watts came to the United States and in 1850 went to California, remaining upon the Pacific coast for five years, after which … Read more

Biography of John S. Hart

John S. Hart, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company, was born January 16, 1885, and was the youngest of the three sons of Sands M. and Stella. M. Hart. The eldest brother, Lucius S. Hart, mentioned elsewhere, was accidentally shot while out hunting in California. The second brother, Harold H. Hart, is the president of the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company. On another page of this work is given a complete history of both the paternal and maternal ancestry. After leaving the high school John S. Hart entered Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1907. He … Read more

Biography of Edmund B. Funston

Edmund B. Funston, organizer and president of Edmund B. Funston Company Architects of Racine, has been identified in large and important measure with the improvement of the city along building lines, for on all sides are seen monuments to his handiwork. He was born in Champaign County, Illinois, May 19, 1868, a son of John H. and Elizabeth E. (Bailey) Funston, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Illinois in early life. The father there followed the occupation of farming and both he and his wife have now passed away. Edmund B. Funston supplemented his district … Read more

Biography of Fred H. Schulz

Fred H. Schulz, who in the conduct of a real estate business has aided in the development of important additions and in negotiating many important property transfers in Racine, his native city, was born on the 17th of March. 1885. a son of John and Minnie (Teske) Schulz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States in 1866, establishing their home in Racine, where the father engaged in business as a carpenter contractor, being identified with building operations for a number of years, but now living retired. After passing through consecutive grades in the public … Read more

Biography of Thomas Henry Acklam

Thomas Henry Acklam, who has been a lifelong resident of Racine County, now makes his home on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, and since 1S92 has resided upon this place, which comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres. Its improvements are all the work of his hands and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. From early boyhood his attention has been given to the work of the fields. He was born in Racine, August 29, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Harriett (Bean) Acklam. In his youthful days he attended the common schools and … Read more