Racine County WI

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 John Vyvyan

John Vyvyan, of Yorkville Township, had no capital when he began farming on his own account, but possessed enterprise and good judgment and as the years have passed has prospered. He has given land to each of his children, but still holds one hundred and sixty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, this County, on the 15th of November. 1850, and he is a son of William and Matilda Vyvyan, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America, however, in young manhood and womanhood and their marriage … Read more

Biography of James E. Bush

Success in this age of marked business activity and competition depends upon wide knowledge of the line to which one directs his energy, combined with unfaltering diligence. There is no one more competent to speak with authority upon the question of varnish in the entire United States than James E. Bush., who has long occupied a position as traveling salesman in that connection and is now vice president of the Chicago Varnish Company. He is among the native sons of Racine County whose business records reflect credit upon the district which gave them birth. Mr. Bush was born at Ives … 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 Rev. John M. Naughtin

Rev. John M. Naughtin, pastor of St. Rose Catholic church at Racine, assumed his duties in this connection in 1909 and has here remained for a period of seven years, during which time his labors have been faithful and fruitful. He is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Zanesville in June, 1854, his parents being Thomas P. and Bridget Naughtin, who were natives of Ireland. On coming to the new world they made their way to, Ohio, settling there at an early period. The father has been spoken of as a man of modest means but of … Read more

Biography of W. G. Edwards

W. G. Edwards, who followed the acquirement of his education in the district schools, took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed his home being near Kansasville, was born in Dover Township on the 18th of March, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Martha (Mayo) Edwards, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Dover Township, Racine County, and the father purchased land from the government. He was a son of Thomas and Susan Edwards, who established their home in Dover … Read more

Biography of Henry Clinton Case

Well defined plans and purposes have brought Henry Clinton Case to a position among the successful business men of Racine. He has been an active factor in the Business Men’s Association and his opinions are accepted as of worth on many matters that have to do with the commercial and industrial development of his city. He came to the Mississippi valley from the east, his birth having occurred in Williamstown, New York, August 7, 1858, his parents being De Wayne and Eliza (Greenhow) Case, the former a native of Williamstown, New York, and the latter of Kendall. England. Jonathan Case, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. La Venture

The fact that William M. La Venture, although still a comparatively young man, holds the important position of treasurer in the J. I. Case Plow Works, is proof of his enterprise, his knowledge of modern business methods and his financial acumen. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1875, a son of William and Margaret La Venture, the former of whom was for about fifty years with the Rock Island Railroad and for a considerable portion of that time its tax commissioner. W. M. La Venture received his education in the public and high schools of Davenport and on beginning … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wherrey Sr.

Robert Wherrey, Sr., has long been identified with commercial interests in Racine as proprietor of a butcher shop and is well known in the business circles of the city. He was born in New York, April 17, 1848, and is indebted to the common school system of that state for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. When his textbooks were put aside he took up the occupation of farming in New York and was thus engaged until he came to Racine in 1869, when a young man of twenty years. Here he embarked in the butchering business, which he has … 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

Biography of Harvey Whitley

Harvey Whitley, a well known farmer owning a quarter section of land in Yorkville Township, was born in Brighton Township, Kenosha County, on the 19th of June, 1869, of the marriage of Thomas and Mary A. (Leach) Whitley. The former, born in Bingley, Yorkshire, England, on the 12th of March, 1821, came to the United States when twenty-two years old and located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where he became identified with agricultural interests. He was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Ann Leach, who was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, and by whom he had five children: Joseph E., born December … Read more

Biography of John H. Liegler

John H. Liegler, who for fifteen years has engaged in law practice in Racine, having been admitted to the bar in 1899, has made steady progress in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit, effort and ability. Racine numbers Mr. Liegler among her native sons. He was born March 12, 1874, his parents being John and Fanny (Pollock) Liegler. The former was a son of John Liegler, who was born in Bohemia and was of French descent, the ancestry being traced back in Bohemia to the year 1730. It was in 1854 that the grandfather crossed the Atlantic … Read more

Biography of Edward A. Bishop

Edward A. Bishop, importer, publisher and jobber of souvenir post cards and dealer in display stands and fixtures at Racine, is prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of the city, where he has developed a trade of very substantial proportions. He was born in the town of Somers, February 18, 1859, a son of Abram T. and Mary (Hulbert) Bishop. The father was born in Ohio, in 1835, and the mother was born the same year, of Vermont parentage. Abram T. Bishop is a brother of Isaac T. Bishop, of Somers. Wisconsin, who at one time was … Read more

Biography of Frank R. Starbuck

Frank Starbuck, secretary and treasurer of The Journal Printing Company of Racine, is of the third generation in active connection with newspaper publication, being a grandson of Calvin W. Starbuck, of the Cincinnati Times, and a son of Frank Washburn and Mattie (Raymond) Starbuck, the former the president of The Journal Printing Company of Racine. “To the manner born,” he has become the able assistant of his father in newspaper publication. He attended the public and high schools of Racine, being graduated with the class of 1894, and the following year, with all the other members of his father’s family, … 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 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 John J. Dahl

John J. Dahl, whose home is on section 26, Norway Township, is engaged in general farming, but makes a specialty of dairying. He was born on the 8th of October, 1856, in Norway, and is a son of John and Olena (Johnson) Johnson. His parents were lifelong residents of Norway, and of the nine children born to them only two came to the United States, these being our subject and his brother, Ole, who is employed in the shops of Racine. Eight of the family are still living and the others reside in Norway. The father, who was employed as … 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

Biography of John P. Barry

On the 1st of January, 1915, John P. Barry assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds and at the same time he is engaged in the abstract business in Racine, with which he has long been connected. He was born in Newton, Iowa, August 31, 1881, a son of David T. and Katherine (Flynn) Barry, the former a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married in Chicago and in the year 1872 became residents of Iowa. The father’s business was that of railroading for some years and afterward he became … Read more

Biography of Michael Higgins

Michael Higgins, treasurer of the Higgins Spring & Axle Company, mentioned above, was born near Oswego, New York, June 28, 1855, a son of Michael and Bridget (Malone) Higgins, who were natives of Cork and County Limerick, Ireland. The former was a son of Patrick Higgins, Jr., and a grandson of Patrick Higgins, Sr., and it was Patrick Higgins, Jr., who, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic, to the new world and founded the family on American soil. After a residence of two years at Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York, he met an accidental death, being, struck by the falling … Read more