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 Henry S. Keefe

Henry S. Keefe, whose extensive and important operations in the field of real estate have won him prominence and success, is accounted one of the most progressive and enterprising young business men of Racine, his native city. He was born April 19, 1883, a son of John and Elizabeth (Budd) Keefe, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The former was a son of Mathew Keefe, a native of Ireland, who on leaving the Emerald isle crossed the Atlantic to the new world, residing for a time in Vermont, and then became one of the … Read more

Biography of John Henry Goebel, M. D.

Dr. John Henry Goebel, physician and surgeon, practicing at Franksville, was born in Raymond Township, March 24, 1883, a son of John and Christiana (Roethe) Goebel, both of whom are natives of this state. The paternal grandparents were John and Margaret Goebel, who were born in Prussia, Germany, and for some time the former sailed the seas. At length he came to the new world, settling at Kilbournville, Wisconsin, where he built a log house. He followed the trade of harness making, which he had learned in his native country, and he also conducted a store for a number of … 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

Biographical Sketch of John Albert De Moulpied

John Albert De Moulpied, representing one of the prominent pioneer families of Racine County, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, September 18, 1865, a son of Nicholas De Moulpied, whose sketch is given above. He attended the district schools and afterward spent a year in study in the schools of Racine, subsequent to which time he returned to the farm, whereon he has since remained with the exception of one year spent in South Dakota near Alexandria. Like his father, he has always carried on agricultural pursuits and he has brought his land to a high state of cultivation, his … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Johnson

There is probably no better known or more highly esteemed citizen residing in Norway Township than Henry F. Johnson, whose farm is on section 12. He was born in an old log house in that Township March 5, 1860, and is a son of Ole and Julia (Beckjord) Johnson, both natives of Norway. In that country his paternal grandfather, John Johnson, spent his entire life. Ole Johnson was born February 2, 1808, and was thirty years of age on coming to the United States in 1838. He first located in Chicago, where he worked for some time, and there he … Read more

Biography of William Kittinger

The enterprising methods of William Kittinger, a representative agriculturist of Caledonia Township, are indicated in the fact that he had nine acres of the best wheat raised in Racine County in 1916. His is a well improved farm, supplied with all modern equipments to facilitate the work and render farm life comfortable and attractive. He came to Wisconsin from New York, his birth having occurred in Niagara County, about ten miles east of Niagara Falls, on the 10th of December, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Priscilla (Burnette) Kittinger. The father was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, April 7, 1818, and … Read more

Biography of Frederick A. Tecktonius

Frederick A. Tecktonius, active, energetic, alert and progressive, is winning success for the E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company as one of its officers. With this business he has been connected since his school days were over and, concentrating his efforts upon the further development of their trade, he is now contributing much to the success of the undertaking. He was born in Kenosha, September 19, 1878, a son of Emil C., and Bridget Ann (Hoye) Tecktonius, who were married August 15, 1867, in Kenosha. The father was a native of Sweden, born in 1846, and came to the United States … Read more

Biography of Clarence Snyder

Clarence Snyder was the founder and promoter of the Racine Heel Protector Company, of which he is secretary-treasurer. Mr. Snyder is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Gorham, Ontario County, on the 12th of March, 1853. After completing his education in the Canandaigua Academy of that state he removed to the middle west in 1873, when a young man of twenty years, and has since been identified with Racine and her interests. Following his arrival here he learned the printers’ trade and for two winters he was a teacher in the district schools of Racine and … Read more

Biography of Edwin B. Skewes

Edwin B. Skewes, son of Samuel and Ruth Bottomley Skewes, was born January 30, 1858, at Grovean Farm, Racine County. Samuel Skewes, with his first wife, Catherine Lugg Skewes, came to this country from Cornwall, England, in 1842, and settled on what is now known as Grovean Farm. To them were born four children: Samuel, who throughout his life was engaged in farming; Sarah, who died when about twelve years old; Margret, who died in young womanhood; and George, who was widely known and highly honored throughout Racine and the County as an educator and banker. Some years after the … Read more

Biography of Hon. Walter S. Goodland

After four years’ service as chief executive of Racine, Hon. Walter S. Goodland retired from the mayoralty as he had entered the office-with the confidence and good will of the great majority of citizens, and upon the city’s history left the record of various substantial improvements which were made under his administration-improvements along the lines of both reform and progress. He has been active in the fields of both law and journalism and at the present writing is owner of the Times-Call of Racine, in which city he has made his home since March, 1899. He was born in Sharon, … Read more

Biography of Frank E. Buchan

Frank E. Buchan, a resident farmer of Union Grove, was born in Dover Township, September 26, 1870, his parents being Edward and Mary (Renny) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Dover Township and representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. The paternal grandparents were Edward and Jane (Tillie) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to Dover in 1838, driving across the country from New York with ox teams. Wisconsin was then still under territorial rule and practically little had been done in the way of settlement in southeastern Wisconsin. The grandfather … Read more

Biography of Abraham Storle

Among the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Norway Township is Abraham Storle, who owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and seventeen acres on section 32. He was born in that Township August 10, 1857, and is a son of Ole and Anna Storle, both natives of Norway, though they were married after coming to the United States, in Racine County, Wisconsin. The father was born in 1805 and lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1891. It was in 1844 that he became a resident of this County and for a … Read more

Biography of Richard R. Birdsall

Richard R. Birdsall, a contractor of Racine whose business has reached satisfying proportions, was born in Toronto, Canada, February 12, 1864, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Arthurs) Birdsall, the former a farmer by occupation. He obtained a public school education and in his youthful days worked on a farm in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, but in 1882 arrived in Racine, where he remained for about a year. He then returned to Toronto, where he continued for another year and on the expiration of that period he again came to Racine, where he was married. Once more he … Read more

Biography of Frederick J. Hansche

That Frederick J. Hansche was an industrious and enterprising business man is indicated in the, fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of an excellent property of one hundred and twelve acres, although when he first came to Racine County he had to earn his living by working as a farm hand. He was born in Germany on the 17th of October, 1837, and in that country acquired a common school education. About 1865 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for a year thereafter was a resident of Cincinnati. He then came … 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

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 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 Charles A. Ryba

Racine on the whole has been favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, and among the worthy city officials is numbered Charles A. Ryba, who since April, 1913, has occupied the position of city clerk. He was born in Racine, July 21, 1889, a son of Albert and Anna (Novak) Ryba, the former a native of Bohemia, while the latter was born in Caledonia Township, Racine County. Albert Ryba came to the United States in 1882 and made his way to Racine, where he has since resided, occupying the position of shipping clerk or doing … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Moritz

While Joseph J. Moritz made a humble start in business life, he has for a number of years occupied a position of trust and responsibility that indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, for since 1909 he has been secretary of the hoard of education in Racine, his native city. He was born on the 30th of April, 1883, a son of Michael and Anna (Heaton) Moritz. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and about 1869 arrived in Racine, where he followed the machinist’s trade, which he had previously learned. He afterward turned his attention to … Read more