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 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

Biography of Louis Mogensen

Louis Mogensen has gained a large clientage in the real estate, fire insurance and loan business in Racine with which he has been connected for twelve years. He possesses a great amount of energy which, intelligently directed, has brought him success and his is another proof of the fact that, no matter how much fantastic theorizing we may indulge in as to the secret of success, we must ultimately reach the conclusion that close application, diligence and persistency of purpose constitute the foundation upon which honorable business prosperity is built. Mr. Mogensen was born in Racine, September 10, 1872, a … Read more

Biography of William Henry Richardson

W. H. Richardson, president of the Racine Carriage Company, is one whose long experience in this line of trade well qualified him for the important position which he now occupies as executive official, directing the policy and shaping the course of the business. One of the elements of his success is the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, never dissipating his energies over a broad field but concentrating on the mastery of every task that has devolved upon him and thus gaining a most comprehensive and exact knowledge of … 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 Alexander R. Anderson

Alexander R., Anderson, manager and treasurer of the Racine Hosiery Company, has back of him twenty years’ experience in all departments of the mill and is therefore most competent to control the enlarging and developing interests of this concern. The work is thoroughly systematized and everything done in a most methodical manner, so that there is no useless expenditure of time, labor or material. It is a well recognized fact that this economy of forces is the basis of all modern business success. Mr. Anderson was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 16, 1878, a son of Walter R. and Margaret … Read more

Biography of Gus Beecher

Farming interests of Union Grove find a worthy representative in Gus Beecher, who for sixty-five years has been a resident of this section of the state. He was born in Germany. November 27, 1849, a son of John Casper and Rebecca (Lentz) Beecher, both of whom were natives of Germany, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Kenosha County in 1851 and the father purchased forty acres of good land. To this he added from time to time until he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, which … 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 George W. Drought

George W. Drought, who carries on farming on section 1, Norway Township, is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Racine County. His birth occurred in Norway Township, October 18, 1869, his parents being William Beasley and Mary (Curren) Drought. The mother had been previously married, her first husband being Werley Drought, who was in the war. The father was born in Canada and was a son of George Drought, who brought his family to Racine County in 1838 from his old home in the Dominion. He was one of the earliest settlers of this locality … 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 Francis W. Dickey

Francis W. Dickey is president of the Central Storage Company and is also prominently identified with other business interests. He was formerly secretary and treasurer of the E. P. Dickey Racine Fanning Mill Company. He was born in Racine, February 6, 1863, a son of Edwin P. and Gertrude L. (Fratt) Dickey. The former, a native of Geneseo, New York, came to Racine in the fall of 1844, joining his uncle, A. P. Dickey, who had arrived in this city in 1840. For a short time he worked for his uncle and then began the manufacture of fanning mills under … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. Earl Trauger

W. Earl Trauger, conducting a jewelry business in Racine, was born in Morrison, Illinois, January 31, 1878. a son of Charles and Alta (Ewing) Trauger, the former a cigar manufacturer. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof of his native city, W. Earl Trauger mastered the branches of learning taught in the graded and high schools and afterward took up the trade of a jeweler at Morrison, while subsequently he worked in the same line in Chicago. His residence in Racine dates from 1906, in which year he entered the employ of F. P. Beswick and in that … Read more

Biography of August J. Eisenhut

August J. Eisenhut, who since April, 1910, has filled the office of city treasurer of Racine, having been re-elected to this position without opposition, was born on the 22d of October, 1876, his parents being August and Martha Eisenhut. The father was born March 27. 1852, and came to the United States with his son August in the year 1881 and remained for a short time a resident of New York City, but the same year removed westward to Milwaukee, where he resided until the fall of that year and then came to Racine. He is a machinist by trade … Read more

Biography of Herman F. Mueller

Starting in the grocery trade as a clerk when fifteen years of age, Herman F. Mueller has since been connected to this business for a period of forty-three years. For the past thirteen years, he has confined his attention solely to the wholesale trade. He is now senior partner in the Mueller-Kuehn Company, operating wholesale houses in both. Racine and Kenosha, with Mr. Mueller in charge of the Racine plant. He was born in Germany on the 16th of August, 1857, and is a son of Gustave and Augusta Mueller, who left the fatherland in 1866 and brought their family … 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 Henry C. Baker

A most efficient and trustworthy officer is Henry C. Baker, chief of police of Racine, who was called to his present position in 1907. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, February 7, 1865, a son of Henry and Christina (Meyer) Baker, both of whom were natives of Germany. In the year 1847 they left the fatherland and came to the United States, establishing their home upon a farm near Madison, Wisconsin, where Mr. Baker carried on general agricultural pursuits until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside the work of the fields and other business and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. M. Wallis Jr.

H. M. Wallis, Jr., manager of the Wallis Tractor Company, which was organized in 1912, was born in Racine on the 24th of January, 1888, a son of H. M. and Jessie (Case) Wallis. He pursued his education as a student in Racine College, the Manor School at Stamford, Connecticut and in the Hotchkiss School of Salisbury, Connecticut, and when his school days were over he returned to Racine, whore he secured employment in the J. I. Case Plow Works. He advanced through all departments in the shop, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the business, and afterward traveled for the corporation … Read more

Biography of Joshua Collier

Joshua Collier was born October 6, 1832, at Manchester, England, a son of William and Margaret (Ridyard) Collier. In 1848, when sixteen years old, he came to this country in company with three cousins of his own age, Joseph Collier, Joshua Boydell, and William Birchall. He located in Racine County, first in Racine, where he worked at his trade as a ship carpenter, and later near Sylvania, where he purchased land. Subsequently his parents came to this country, and settled near him. In 1860 Joshua Collier was united in marriage to Alice Hurst, who was born in Tyldsley, Lancashire, England, … Read more

Biography of Theodore R.Olson

Theodore R. Olson, characterized by a spirit of marked enterprise and progressiveness. is proprietor of a five and ten cent store, located at No. 1354 Washington avenue in Racine. His colleagues and contemporaries recognize him as a most wide-awake and progressive business man whose activities are typical of the spirit of the times, and thus it was that he was chosen president of the Junction Business Men’s Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He was born in North Cape, Wisconsin, October 18, 1878, a son of Soren and Sina Olson, both of whom are natives of Aalborg, … Read more

Biography of William Henkel

A valuable farm property of one hundred and seventy-five acres situated on Sections 11 and 13, Raymond Township, pays substantial annual tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, William Henkel, who is a representative agriculturist of Racine County. His business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed and his splendid success is the direct and merited reward of his own labors. He was born in Germany, October 25, 1853, a son of Henry and Charlotte (Guth) Henkel, who were also natives of the fatherland. On coming to the new world they settled in Raymond Township, … Read more