Racine County WI

Biography of Carl D. Skow

Among the growing and important business enterprises which have converted Washington Avenue into a busy mart of trade is the dry goods establishment owned and conducted by Carl D. Skow, one of the enterprising citizens that Denmark has furnished to Racine. He was born in that country February 5, 1863, his parents being T. N. and Ursula Skow, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. The son came to the United States in May, 1882, when a young man of nineteen years, and settled first at Racine, Wisconsin, where he became a clerk in the dry goods house of J. … 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 Edgar A. Sears

Many of Racine County’s citizens feel that there is no need to seek a location elsewhere because of the excellent opportunities here offered for business advancement, owing to the naturally rich condition of the soil. Among this number is Edgar A. Sears, who has always lived in Caledonia Township, his birth having occurred on his father’s farm January 23, 1880. His father, Daniel Sears, was also born in Caledonia Township, his natal year being 1846, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Mann, was born in 1856. The former was a son of Lewis Sears, a native … Read more

Biography of W. J. Jandl

W. J. Jandl, engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Bohemia September 7, 1864, a son of Hynek and Magdeline (Korab) Jandl. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Hynek Jandl, was born in 1797, and served as a soldier in some of the European wars. Both the parents of W. J. Jandl are now deceased. It was in the year 1881 that W. J. Jandl came to Racine, being then a youth of seventeen years. His financial condition was such as to render employment an immediate necessity and he began work with the … Read more

Biography of Thomas P. Owens

Almost a quarter of a century has come and gone since Thomas P. Owens departed this life but he is yet remembered as a substantial and valued citizen of Racine County, where for many years he actively and successfully engaged in farming. He was born in Wales, September 20, 1820, a son of Thomas Owens, Sr. In the common schools of Wales he pursued his education and was a man of thirty-one years when in 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He immediately made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Racine County, where … Read more

Biography of William H. McCullough

Among the native sons of Caledonia Township who still reside within its borders and have won a creditable position as substantial, progressive farmers is numbered William H. McCullough, who now makes his home on section 20: He was born September 13, 1869, a son of Archie and Rose (McAllona) McCullough. The father was born in Ireland in 1827 and after coming to the new world was married in Minnesota to Rose McAllona, whose birth occurred in New York in 1843. In 1866 they became residents of Racine County, Wisconsin, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, and as opportunity … 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 Joseph O. Kennedy

Joseph O. Kennedy, vice president of the Racine Carriage Company, came to his present position after long connection and broad experience with the Sattley Company, carriage manufacturers, of this city. He is now concentrating his efforts upon the further development of the trade, reaching out along modern commercial lines for that success which is the direct outcome of close application, unfaltering diligence and unremitting energy. Mr. Kennedy was born in Franklin County, Missouri, June 24, 1877, a son of W. H. and Virginia Kennedy, who are still occupying the farm upon which they have lived for a half century, near … Read more

Biography of Frederik Rasmussen

Frederik Rasmussen is now living retired in Racine, but for many years he engaged in business as a teaming efflitractor and won so liberal a patronage that the success which he achieved now enables him to rest from further labor and yet enjoy many of the comforts of life. His is the record of the foreign-born citizen who recognizes the opportunities which America offers and, coming to the new world, so utilizes his chances that success in substantial measure becomes his. He was born in Denmark, September 3, 1838, a son of Rasmus and Christine (Carlson) Hansen. The father spent … 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 John O’Laughlin

John O’Laughlin, who died July 15, 1913, was well known as the head of the John O’Laughlin Stone Company, owning quarries at Racine, Waukesha and Waterloo, Wisconsin. His business reached extensive proportions and in its management he displayed unfaltering enterprise and keen discernment. He was born at Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 1856, a son of Andrew and Ellen (O’Gorman) O’Laughlin, who were natives of County Clare, Ireland. The paternal grandfather, Michael O’Laughlin, was a wealthy resident of Ireland and had a family of nine sons, six of whom were surveyors. One of these, Peter O’Laughlin, engaged in … Read more

Biography of F. Arthur Morey

Among those whose success in the real estate and insurance business entitles them to representation as leading business men of Racine is F. Arthur Morey, who has been a lifelong resident of this city. He is a representative of one of-the old families of Wisconsin and the lineage can be traced back to England, whence in 1626 three brothers of the name sailed for the new world, settling in Massachusetts. One branch of the family subsequently took the name of Mowry and the other the name of Morey. Darius J. Morey, the great-grandfather of F. Arthur Morey, was a native … Read more

Biography of E. J. Botting

One of the leading agriculturists and progressive citizens of Caledonia Township is E. J. Botting, whose splendidly improved property indicates the spirit of enterprise that actuates him at every point in his career. He was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, July 4, 1858, a son of James and Caroline (Blake) Botting, who were natives of Kent, England. The former was a son of Edward Botting, who (lied in that country. James Botting was born in 1824, and in his native County of Kent married Caroline Blake, whose birth occurred in 1829. They came to the United States in 1857 and … Read more

Biography of Walter Silas Haven, M. D.

Dr. Walter Silas Haven, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Racine, is a medical graduate of the Northwestern University and after two years’ hospital experience he came to this city, where he has since successfully followed his profession. He was born in Racine County, February 9, 1862, and is a son of George Silas and Jane (Jones) Haven, the former a native of Cheltenham, Ontario, and the latter of Caernarvonshire, Wales. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Haven, was also a native of England and was a veteran of the war with Napoleon, serving as surgeon in the English … Read more

Biography of Thomas F. McGraw

Thomas F. McGraw, who for the past twenty-three years has conducted business as a retail shoe merchant at his present location, is one of the oldest representatives of trade interests on Sixth Street, most of the merchants having come into active connection with the commercial life of Racine since he opened his store. A progressive spirit has at all time ruled his activities and sound judgment has guided his business transactions. He was born in Racine, December 15, 1869, a son of John C. and Julia (Powers) McGraw, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father arrived here when … Read more

Biography of Vilas H. Whaley

Among the well known and prominent members of the Racine County bar is numbered Vilas H. Whaley. Although he is yet a young man, he has attained in the profession a position which many an older member of the bar might well envy. Mr. Whaley was born at Benton, Wisconsin, October 28, 1886, his parents being Frank and Mary (McDonald) Whaley, who were also natives of Benton. The former was a son of Patrick Whaley, a native of Ireland, who in early life crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Lafayette County, Wisconsin. There he reared his family … 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 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 Fred M. Opitz

Fred M. Opitz, in whom inventive genius has combined with executive ability to make a most enterprising and successful business man, is numbered among the recent valuable additions to the manufacturing circles of Racine, where he has operated since 1912 as the head of the Perfex Radiator Company. A native of Germany, he was born in Berlin on the 24th of October, 1886, and pursued his education there, receiving thorough training along mechanical lines. He was, as it were, “to the manner horn,” for his father, Herman Opitz, had been engaged along mechanical lines as a manufacturer of bathtubs, and … 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