Racine County WI

Biography of John Martin

John Martin, who passed away in Racine in 1900 at the age of seventy-four years, devoted the greater part of his life to carpentering. He was born in England on the 13th of April, 1826, and at an early age came to America with his parents, the family locating in New York city. There he attended school and learned the carpenter’s trade, in which he became unusually proficient. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Racine County, Wisconsin, and purchased eighty acres of land in Yorkville Township, on which he resided for eight years. He then removed to … Read more

Biography of Charles B. McCanna

Dairying and the industries which are allied thereto have ever constituted an important source of the wealth and prosperity of Racine County, and among the most enterprising and progressive business men of the district are those who have turned to that line of labor as a source of their business development. One of the well known, successful and highly respected representatives of the business in Racine County was Charles B. McCanna, who became an influential citizen of Burlington and one whose activities constituted not only a source of individual success but. also constituted one of the strong elements in the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Wallace Hunter

William Wallace Hunter has been a lifelong resident of Raymond Township. He was born on the old family homestead October 4, 1862, his parents being William and Andica (Boyd) Hunter, who are mentioned above. He is indebted to the district school system for educational privileges which were accorded him and he began life on a farm, choosing to follow the occupation to which he had been reared. He has since carried on general farming and dairying and he keeps on hand a good grade of Holstein cattle. He is now operating eighty acres and the tract is in a high … Read more

Biography of Gustave Bahnemann

Germany has given to Racine a large percentage of its citizens which number includes Gustave Bahnemann, who was born in that country on the 5th of January, 1860, his parents being Frederick and Christine Bahnemann, who were also natives of Germany and there spent their entire lives. The son was reared and educated in that country and upon attaining his majority in 1881 resolved to try his fortune in the new world. He therefore made the trip across the Atlantic and penetrated into the interior of the country, settling at Milwaukee, where he remained until 1901. In the latter year … Read more

Biography of Edward Brice

Edward Brice is the owner of an excellent farm situated on section 7 of Raymond Township and thereon he is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and dairying. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, December 2, 1858, his parents being Thomas and Alice (Drought) Brice. The mother was a native of Ireland but was only two weeks old when she was brought by her family to the new world. Her parents first settled in Canada, where they remained until she was twelve years of age. Mrs. Brice then came to Racine County with her brother, making the journey in an … Read more

Biography of John O. Jones

John O. Jones, conducting an extensive contracting business under the name of the Western Improvement Company, has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions in street paving, a business that extends over many adjoining states. Mr. Jones was born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, on the 23d of June, 1856, and is a son of Owen and Ann (Jones) Jones, both representatives of old families that have lived in that section of Wales for hundreds of years. The family on one side was farmers and on the other was granite quarrymen. The parents of John O. Jones spent their entire … Read more

Biography of Samuel C. Johnson

One of the most venerable business men of Racine is Samuel C. Johnson, whose career is a notable one. Few men of his years-he is now eighty-three -continue in business and his record should put to shame many a man of less resolute purpose who, grown weary of the struggle of business life, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear. Old age, however, does not necessarily suggest weakness or want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years passes on and gives out of its rich stores … Read more

Biography of A. C. Mehder

A. C. Mehder, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Mehder Dry Goods Company, occupies a prominent position among the alert, enterprising and progressive merchants of Racine and his life history is indicative of the opportunities that are offered in the new world to the young man of foreign birth who, prompted by ambition and guided by sound judgment, puts forth earnest effort to win prosperity. Mr. Mehder was born in Denmark, October 20, 1870. a son of L. T. H. and Caroline Mehder, who spent their entire lives in Denmark, where the father conducted business as a merchant tailor. Through … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lawrence R. Larsen

Lawrence R. Larsen, accounted one of the enterprising young business men of Racine, was born in this city, March 23, 1897, a son of Martin and Johanna Larsen, who are natives of Denmark. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to become residents of the new world, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities on this side the water than the father could hope to secure in his native land. Making their way to Racine, they have since resided in this city and Mr. Larsen is now engaged in the furniture business. Spending his boyhood and youth in Racine, L. R. … 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 Hon. Charles H. Everett

In the language of the people, Charles H. Everett is a thinker and a worker, and these qualities have made him a leader. Perhaps no man in Wisconsin has exerted a more widely felt and beneficial influence on the agricultural development of the state. He was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, March 22. 1855, a son of Milton Josiah and Mary E. (Ross) Everett, both of whom were natives of New York and have now passed away. They became residents of Wisconsin in 1840 and here the father followed the occupation of farming. C. H. Everett acquired a public school … Read more

Biography of Nels M. Christensen

Nels M. Christensen, who passed away at his excellent home in Racine after having moved from his farm of two hundred acres in Raymond Township in 1905, was empty-handed and without influential friends when he came to Racine County, Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-two and his success was due entirely to his own efforts. He was born in Denmark, November 10, 1839, and after acquiring a common school education there he worked at farming until 1861, when he immigrated to the United States, making his way at once to Racine County, Wisconsin. For ten years he worked as a … Read more

Biography of Christian Erbe

The family name indicates the German nativity of Christian Erbe, who displays in his business career many of the sterling characteristics which mark the efficiency of the Teuton race. He was born in Saxony, Germany, January 29, 1839, a son of George and Catherine (Ungerecht) Erbe, who were also natives of Saxony. The ancestry is traced back to Christian Erbe, the great-grandfather. The grandfather was John Erbe, who died in Germany when his son George was but fourteen years of age. One of the family, Sebastian Erbe, served in the Revolutionary war, on the English side, and was taken prisoner … Read more

Biography of William J. Hansche

William J. Hansche, who is extensively engaged in truck farming in Mount Pleasant Township, is of that class of citizens who are active not only in promoting the material development of the district but in advancing its moral interests as well, for he staunchly upholds all those principles which make for better manhood and higher living. He was born April 25, 1867, in the Township where he still resides, a son of Rudolph and Anna (Seorgel) Hansche. He acquired a common school education, pursuing his studies to the age of eighteen years, and through the periods of vacation he worked … Read more

Biography of W. W. Kradwell

W. W. Kradwell, secretary and general manager of the Kradwell Drug Company of Racine, is bending his energies to the successful direction of a business that is growing steadily in volume and importance and takes rank with the chief commercial enterprises of this city. He was born in 1875, a native of Boscobel, Wisconsin, although of Austrian and Swiss lineage. His paternal grandfather, Albert Kradwell, was a native of Austria, while his maternal grandfather. Benjamin Weibel was born in Switzerland. After following farming for many years in Austria the former became a resident of Grant County, Wisconsin, following the arrival … Read more

Biography of Richard W. McCracken, M. D.

Among the successful and progressive physicians and surgeons of Racine County is Dr. R. W. McCracken, who has engaged in practice in Union Grove for a number of years. His birth occurred in Daviess County, Indiana, on the 4th of February, 1872, and his parents are Hiram and Sarah J. (Williams) McCracken, the former born in that County in 1842 and the latter in 1843. The father devoted his life to farming and dealing in stock and through good management has gained financial independence. He is a democrat in politics. The mother is a member of the Christian church. They … Read more

Biography of Henry Schulte

Racine’s musical history for the past forty-five years could be written in the biography of Henry Schulte. No other name has been so closely allied with all the various musical undertakings during this period, nor is it likely that any one man has done more for the development of musical interest and knowledge in the city. He was born in Racine, August 4, 1858, his parents being Theodore and Fredericka Schulte, both of whom were born in Germany and came to this country in 1847. The father was a cabinet maker, having learned this trade in his native country. He … Read more

Biography of S. H. Hansche

It was in Mount Pleasant Township, where he still resides, that S. H. Hansche was born on the 21st of November, 1878, his parents being Frederick J. and Fredricka Hansche, his home at the present time is on section 32, where he is engaged in farming, winning substantial success as a reward for his persistent and intelligently directed labor. At the usual age he entered the common schools and thus continued his studies to the age of fifteen. In the meantime he had received active training in farm work and after his textbooks were put aside he continued to assist … Read more

Biography of W. J. Higgie

W. J. Higgie, conducting an extensive and profitable business as a dealer in fuel, having a large plant on the river, was born in Racine on the 18th of February, 1856, a son of William M. and Margaret S. (Peel) Higgie, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. The father was one of the first settlers of Racine and commanded a vessel, sailing on the Lakes as its captain. He continued his residence here until death ended his labors in 1882. After mastering the common branches of learning taught in the graded schools of Racine, W. … Read more

Biography of George L. Buck

George L. Buck, president of the Racine Iron & Wire Works, is actuated in all that. he does by a spirit of indefatigable enterprise and during the decade in which he has been at the head of his present interests has so directed the course of his activities that his labors have spelled success. One of New England’s native sons, he was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1865, a son of David and Charlotte (Olin) Buck, the former of Welsh descent, while the latter was of Scotch lineage, although both families have long been represented in the United States. The … Read more