Racine County WI

Biography of John Stott Blakey

John Stott Blakey has for many years been prominent in the town of Union Grove, where he is identified with the milling business, with banking and with civic and moral progress. A native of Racine County, he was born within a mile and a half of Union Grove, on the 23rd of September, 1847, a son of Thomas and Mary (Stott) Blakey, both of whom were born in Rochedale, Lancashire, England. The father, whose natal year was 1826, was a son of John and Mary Blakey, the former a butcher by occupation. Thomas Blakey learned the shoemaker’s trade, which he … Read more

Biography of George W. Miller

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Racine’s industrial and commercial development without learning that the Miller family has played an important part in shaping the record along that line. George W. Miller is now treasurer of the J. Miller Company, shoe manufacturers, having one of the important concerns of this kind in the state. He was born in Racine, July 12, 1866, a son of Joseph Miller, founder and promoter of the business, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the McMynn Academy after mastering the elementary branches of learning taught … 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 Edward A. Merritt

Merritt, Edward A.; sec’y and treas. The Cleveland Stone Co.; born, Marquette, Mich., Feb. 12, 1862; son of Daniel H. and Harriett L. Merritt; educated, public schools and Racine College, Racine, Wis.; came to Cleveland, took course in Bryant Stratton and Smith Business College; returned to Marquette, and was in business with his father; married, Dec. 15, 1886, Matildia Huntington, of Cleveland; issue, one daughter, deceased; came back to Cleveland in 1888, as asst. treas. for the Cleveland Stone Co.; also auditor and stockholder and director, connected with the Company for over twenty-four years.

Biography of F. J. Pope, M. D.

Dr. F. J. Pope, a graduate of Rush Medical College of the class of 1875, has continuously engaged in the practice of his profession in Racine for forty years and has long occupied a prominent position as one of the leading surgeons of the city. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. November 2, 1852, and is a son of C. A. and Emily (Hagan) Pope, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The father went to Germany to attend school in Bavaria, becoming a student in a theological college there, and while in that country he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Acklam

The decade of the ’40s brought to southeastern Wisconsin many citizens who became permanent residents and were active in promoting conditions that have brought about present-day progress and prosperity. To this number belonged George Acklam, who arrived in Racine in 1849, being at that time a man of about thirty-two years, his birth having occurred in England in 1817. He pursued a common school education and there engaged in farming until 1848, when he determined to embrace the opportunities offered in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. For a year he resided in Adams County, … 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 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 Christopher C. Gittings

Christopher C. Gittings, who since 1889 has been an active member of the Racine bar, and is now senior partner in the firm of Gittings & Janechy, was born in Racine County, October 29, 1862, a son of William and Elizabeth Gittings. The ancestry is traced back to Wales, although the family is of English origin. The father was born in Wales, and in 1850 visited Wisconsin, being so pleased with the state and its future prospects that he returned in 1855 to Racine County and purchased land in Caledonia Township, soon after which he was joined by his father, … Read more

Biography of William J. Harvey

There are few cities which owe their existence to a single manufacturing or industrial enterprise but rather to the aggregation of many business interests. Yet among these there are always some that stand out prominently as most potent factors in the commercial growth and prosperity of the community. Such a place in Racine circles is that occupied by the Harvey Spring Company, of which William J. Harvey is the president and whose well defined efforts have been a most potent force in bringing about the development and consequent success of the concern of which he is now the directing head. … 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 P. Cornelius Olson

P. Cornelius Olson, assistant cashier of the Racine City Bank, was born in this city July 2, 1871, his parents being Peter M. and Christine Olson, both of whom were natives of Porsgrund, Norway. In that country they were reared and married and during the ’60s they crossed the Atlantic to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. Two of their children died while en route and were buried in the ocean. The father was a sailor, devoting his life to that work and to carpentering but for some years he has lived retired, having now reached the eightieth … Read more

Biography of Frederick J. Greene

For twenty-two years Frederick J. Greene has been an active representative of the industrial life of Racine and in his business career he has eagerly embraced the opportunities leading to success. Never content to wait for the favors which fortune might bring, he has worked diligently and has earned the rewards of earnest, self-denying labor. Racine County numbers him among her native sons. He was born at Berryville, this County, March 15, 1869, a son of Melville R. and Elizabeth (Collins) Greene, who were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Removing westward they became early residents of Racine County, … Read more

Biography of Alexander A. Fisk

Alexander A. Fisk, in charge of the park system of Racine, is actuated in all of his work by broad humanitarian principles. It is not his object merely to develop a park system in Racine that will be a thing of beauty. He has the higher and broader purpose of making it as well a place of recreation to meet the demands of the public needs in this regard, knowing that ninety-five per cent of the people never have, in vacation periods, the opportunity to leave home. He is closely and thoroughly studying modern problems relative to the welfare of … Read more

Biography of William F. C. Biehn

William F. C. Biehn ranks among the most successful of the younger farmers of the County and derives a good income from his well directed labors. He was born in Kenosha County, on the 3d of October, 1886, and is a son of Fred W. and Bertha (Steffen) Biehn, natives of Germany, the former born in 1825 and the latter in 1841. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Biehn, passed his entire life in Germany but the maternal grandfather immigrated to this country and located in Milwaukee, where he had a milk route. Fred W. Biehn, who was the oldest of a … Read more

Biography of L. F. Nelson

The firm of Nelson S Company, incorporated, general contractors, has done much for the improvement of the city along the line of architectural adornment since starting in business in 1895. L. F. Nelson, president of the corporation, is among the foreign-born citizens who have found in America the land of opportunity, enjoying the advantages offered in a country where labor and ambition are not hampered by caste or class. He was born in Denmark, June 29, 1868, and in 1887 arrived in Racine, being then a young man of nineteen years. He afterward engaged in farming for three years, although … 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 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

Biography of Judge Elbert Osborne Hand

Judge Elbert Osborne Hand, long a distinguished member of the Racine bar and for thirteen years occupying the bench of the County court, passed away June 19, 1915, an occasion which carried with it a sense of deep regret and sorrow to many who have been his associates and contemporaries. He was then nearing the eighty-fifth milestone on life’s journey and there came to him “the blessed accompaniments of age-honor, riches, and troops of friends.” Judge Hand was a native of New Lebanon, Columbia County, New York, born November 29, 1830, and came of English ancestry in both the maternal … Read more

Biography of Adelbert Beach

Adelbert Beach, who owns the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has resided in Racine County throughout his entire life or for almost seventy years and during that time has seen it develop from a frontier district into the prosperous and populous County of today. He was born at Ives Grove on the 24th of December, 1846, and is a son of Royal and Mary (Culver) Beach, both natives of Massachusetts, the former born in 1812 and the latter on the 14th of September, 1825. In 1845 they were married in Westfield. Massachusetts, and in June of that year came to … Read more