Racine County WI

Biography of Herbert Van Bree

Herbert Van Bree, president of the Racine Traveling Bag Company and also of the Racine Electric Company, is numbered among Wisconsin’s native sons, his birth having occurred at Barton on the 25th of June, 1861, and his parents being Jerry and Johanna Van Bree, both of whom were natives of Holland. They were reared in that country, but immediately after their marriage crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Wisconsin, settling at Barton. The father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for the support of his family, but he and his wife … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nels Christiansen

Nels Christiansen is the owner of a good tract of land of forty-two acres in Mount Pleasant Township and is now devoting his entire time and attention to agricultural interests. He was born in Denmark, December 26, 1869, a son of Hans and Sophia Christiansen. He pursued his education in the schools of his native country and afterward learned the blacksmith’s trade there. In 1892 he came to the United States, making his way to Chicago, and after four months spent in the western metropolis removed to Racine, where he was employed at blacksmithing for a year and a half. … Read more

Biography of Charles F. Barndt

Charles F. Barndt is considered a valuable addition to the business circles of Racine, with which he became identified in October, 1913, when he removed to this city and entered into active trade relations here as the vice president and factory manager of the Racine Manufacturing Company. He was born in a suburb of Philadelphia on the 6th of April, 1876, a son of John G. and Annie M. (Clymer) Barndt. The father was a carriage builder who for many years was connected with the business but is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. He has long … 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 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

Biographical Sketch of Fulton Thompson

Fulton Thompson, a member of the law firm of Thompson & Harvey, has been engaged in practice in Racine since January, 1901, and entered upon his present partnership relation in 1906. He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1871, a son of John and Mary Jane (Kirk) Thompson, the former a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Cecil County. Maryland. They were farming people and both have passed away. Fulton Thompson supplemented a public school education by four years’ study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated from the law … 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 Andrew E. Ibson

Andrew E. Ibson, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Yorkville Township, also owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in New Mexico. A native of Raymond Township, Racine County, he was born on the 27th of August, 1865, a son of Hans and Gertrude (Hansen) Ibson, both natives of Denmark, the former born on the isle of Zealand in March, 1816, and the latter on the isle of Langland, on the 28th of January, 1828. They were married in their native country on the 25th of May, 1858, and six years later came to the United … 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 Henry August Hilker

Watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, wide-awake and alert, Henry August Hilker has so directed his efforts that success in substantial measure is now within his grasp and his business activities furthermore are of a character that contributes to public prosperity as well as to the advancement of personal interests. He is today manager of the Red Seal Oil Company and for a long period has been connected with the manufacture and sale of brick in Racine. At the present time he is platting and developing a fine summer resort. Racine claims Mr. Hilker as a native son; he … Read more

Biography of William Henry Miller

William Henry Miller was born in Racine, on the 2d of November, 1847. and is a son of Moses and Frances Augusta (Durand) Miller, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut, respectively. The father arrived in Wisconsin about 1844 and was a wholesale merchant of Racine for a number of years prior to the building of railroads to this city. His goods were distributed by four-horse peddling wagons to stores all over the southern part of the state. Later in life he engaged in the insurance business. His influence was always on the side of right and improvement and the many … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lucius S. Hart

Lucius S. Hart, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Sands M. Hart, was born in Racine, December 11, 1879. He pursued his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, and his early business training was received in the woolen mill owned and operated by the family. In 1900, with his younger brother, Harold H. Hart, he made a bicycle tour through Europe, visiting many points of modern and historic interest and touring the country in a most thorough manner. Soon after his return from Europe he went to California for the benefit of his … Read more

Biography of Roy F. Freeman

Roy F. Freeman is now devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits in Mount Pleasant Township, where he has a splendidly developed property of twenty-one acres situated on section 13. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the country and the name has long been prominently associated with industrial activity in Racine. It was in that city that Roy F. Freeman was born. March 21, 1886, his parents being Michael and Lillias Katherine (Porter) Freeman, who were married in Racine on the 15th of September, 1881. The father was born in Centralia, Illinois, January 14, 1860, … 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 Sands M. Hart

Sands M. Hart, son of John S. Hart, mentioned elsewhere, was sixty-three years of age at the time of his demise. He was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, April 15, 1852, and was but a small boy when he came with his parents to Racine, at which time the family home was established upon a farm in the town of Mount Pleasant, on what is now known as the Rapids drive. After attending the district schools and later the public and high schools of Racine he continued his education in the Hillsdale (Mich.) College, from which he was graduated with high … Read more

Biography of Angus R. Callender

Angus R Callender, secretary and treasurer of the Badger Foundry Company, was born in Racine County, August 4, 1876, a son of Richard Callender. who was one of the early residents of this section of the state. After obtaining a high school education he entered the employ of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, with which he spent nineteen years, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase of the work entrusted to him and winning promotion front time to time until he became chief clerk of the manufacturing department. He severed that connection in order to enter into active association … Read more

Biography of George Peterson

George Peterson, a farmer and stock raiser of Raymond Township, was born on the old family homestead in that Township February 10, 1879, his parents being John and Gertrude Peterson, who were natives of Denmark and Norway respectively. The father, who was born in 1834, passed away in 1909. He came to the new world in 1869 and, settling in Racine County, was married in Raymond Township. He purchased a farm of sixty-two acres and at once bent his energies to its development and improvement, continuing to reside thereon until his demise. His wife has also passed away. They were … Read more

Biography of James Callen

James Callen, who is conducting a mercantile establishment and saloon in Caledonia, was born September 15, 1862, in the Township where he now resides, his parents being James and Mary (Duffy) Callen. The paternal grandfather was Nicholas Callen. who in 1849 arrived in Caledonia Township, Racine County, and died at the home of his son. The maternal grandfather, Patrick Duffy, died in Ireland. James Callen, Sr., was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America in 1849, when a youth of sixteen years. He worked on different farms for a time, during which period he carefully saved … 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