Racine County WI

Biography of Christmas E. Evans, D. V. S.

The veterinary profession in Racine finds a worthy representative in Dr. Christmas E. Evans, whose ability to successfully administer remedial agencies is manifest in the excellent results which have attended him in general practice. He was born in Utica, New York, November 2. 1860, and is a son of Evan R. and Margaret (Roberts) Evans, who came to Racine in 1874. The father was a veterinary surgeon and continued in active practice in Racine until July, 1908, when his labors were terminated by death. He had for four years survived his wife, who passed away in 1904. Dr. C. E. … Read more

Biography of John Armstrong

With the industrial interests of Racine John Armstrong is closely associated as the president of the Holbrook-Armstrong Company, manufacturers and jobbers of castings. Racine numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in this city in 1859, his parents being John and Susan R. (McNellis) Armstrong, who, in the year 1855, arrived in this city. The father, a tinner by trade, was connected with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company for twenty-five years and thus the name has long been associated with the industrial interests of Racine. Reared in his native city, John Armstrong obtained a public … 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 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 William John McAdams

William John McAdams, who since 1909 has lived retired, although previously actively connected with agricultural, commercial and industrial pursuits, was born in Elizabethport, New Jersey, August 10, 1849, a son of John and Jane (Crothers) McAdams, who were natives of Ireland, and with their family crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New Jersey. The father was a railroad man, being employed on the York & Erie Railroad as section boss for seventeen years. He came to Racine County in 1851 and turned his attention to farming in Caledonia Township, while later he followed agricultural pursuits in Raymond … Read more

Biography of Frank J. Luxem

Frank J. Luxem, representing commercial interests of Racine as a wholesale dealer in fruits, was born September 25, 1871, in the city in which he still resides, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Kemmer) Luxem. The father, who was a native of Bavaria, Germany, came to the new world in early life, establishing his home in Racine in pioneer times. For a number of years he was proprietor of the leading hotel of the city but afterward entered the employ of A. P. Dickey, with whom he remained for thirty-two years as a pattern maker, retiring from business about, two … Read more

Biography of Martin O. Senseny

Martin O. Senseny, president and treasurer of the Racine Malleable & Wrought Iron Company, has been connected with this business since 1906 and its development within the past decade is attributable in substantial measure to his efforts and keen business discernment. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Senseny was born in 1852, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Senseny. His mother died when he was but a few weeks old and his father when the boy was but three years of age, so that he was reared by his grandparents. He became a school teacher and later a bookkeeper and for … Read more

Biography of Frank Washburn Starbuck

Frank Washburn Starbuck, president of The Journal Printing Company of Racine, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 8th of November. 1845, a son of Calvin W. Starbuck, owner and editor of the Cincinnati Times during the Civil war, at which period it was one of the strong forces in molding public opinion. Frank W. Starbuck spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native city and obtained his education and preliminary training in connection with the printing business there, but became a resident of Racine in 1873, when a young man of twenty-eight years. The purpose of … Read more

Biography of Andrew Bennett

A well improved and highly cultivated farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Norway Township pays tribute to Andrew Bennett in return for the care and labor he expends upon it. His home is pleasantly located on section 36 and is a beautiful country residence erected in 1903. It is two stories in height and contains twelve rooms attractively furnished and supplied with all modern conveniences, including running water. Mr. Bennett has spent his entire life in Norway Township, where he was born March 4, 1854, a son of Edward and Mary (Shields) Bennett, natives of County Westmeath, Ireland. … Read more

Biography of David F. Griswold

David F. Griswold, city editor of the Racine Journal, has been connected with newspaper publication since beginning his independent career and now ranks among the leaders in that field in the city of Racine. His birth occurred here on the 26th of December, 1854, and he is a son of Nelson A. and Jane (Wilson) Griswold, who removed to this city in 1850. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and was employed in the construction of some of the first vessels built in Racine. He passed away in 1856 and his wife five years ago. David F. Griswold, … Read more

Biography of George Mitchel

George Mitchel, who for twenty-three years has resided upon his present farm in Raymond Township, near Caledonia, has prospered in business because of his close application and untiring energy and a determined purpose to win success if it could be accomplished through diligence and honorable methods. He was born July 8, 1866, in the Township in which he still lives, his parents being Christian and Fredrica (.Minter) Mitchel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The latter was born in 1818, and passed away in 1892, but the mother, whose birth occurred in 1835, is still living. They were married … Read more

Biography of F. B. Swingle

F. B. Swingle, who since 1912 has been associate editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, although he began writing for publication long prior to that date, was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, March 8, 1876, a son of Warren W. and Frankie (Bell) Swingle. The parents were also natives of Rock County and the mother was a daughter of Adam Bell, one of the early pioneer settlers of the state, who on removing westward from New York in 1838, passed through Racine and established his home in Rock County, having made the trip to Racine by water, and farther west with … 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 Griffith G. Jones

Griffith G. Jones, merchant and manufacturer, has been associated with the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company from the age of sixteen years and successive promotions have brought him to official connection with the house. Since 1907 he has been vice president of the company, having charge of the shop work of the factory at Eleventh Street and the St. Paul Railway tracks. He was born in Racine, August 28, 1873, a son of Griffith P. and Ellen (Williams) .Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales. The father arrived in Racine in 1855 and the mother in 1856 and they were married … Read more

Biography of Elisha Lewis

Elisha Lewis, who has a beautiful country home near Kansasville but is how largely living retired after long, active and successful connection with agricultural interests in Racine County, was born in England, June 14, 1846, a son of William and Mary (Milard) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Gloucestershire. England. The father, who was born in 1811, died in 1869, while, the mother, who was born in 1812, passed away in 1897. They were married in England about 1842 and in the year 1850 became early residents of Dover Township, Racine County. The work of development had been begun … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Herrick

Henry F. Herrick was formerly engaged in the manufacture of hardware specialties, but since 1909 has lived retired, enjoying well deserved leisure. His birth occurred in Racine on the 10th of November. 1847, and his parents were Charles and Anna (Ball) Herrick, natives respectively of Westford, Massachusetts, and New York. The father became one of the capitalists of Racine, holding title to a large amount of real estate in this city and in the state of Nebraska and elsewhere, and served as vice-president of the First National Bank of Racine. He was always willing to promote the public welfare in … Read more

Biography of Fred W. Brown

One of the attractive homes in Caledonia Township is the property of Fred W. Brown, who is engaged in general farming and dairying. He was born in Granville, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, June 9, 1872, a son of William and Johanna (Schrader) Brown, both of whom are natives of Germany, the former born in 1850 and the latter in 1846. They were married in the land of their birth and their wedding trip consisted of a voyage to the new world with Milwaukee as their destination. The father served as a soldier in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. After coming to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward A. Merritt

Merritt, Edward A.; sec’y and treas. The Cleveland Stone Co.; born, Marquette, Mich., Feb. 12, 1862; son of Daniel H. and Harriett L. Merritt; educated, public schools and Racine College, Racine, Wis.; came to Cleveland, took course in Bryant Stratton and Smith Business College; returned to Marquette, and was in business with his father; married, Dec. 15, 1886, Matildia Huntington, of Cleveland; issue, one daughter, deceased; came back to Cleveland in 1888, as asst. treas. for the Cleveland Stone Co.; also auditor and stockholder and director, connected with the Company for over twenty-four years.

Biographical Sketch of Jerome J. Foley

Jerome J. Foley, one of the younger members of the Racine bar, who, however, has already gained for himself a place as a practitioner in the courts of his district, was born in Racine, November 14, 1886, a son of Edmond and Mary (Rooney) Foley, who were natives of Ireland and Racine, respectively. In the ’70s the father arrived in this city, where he conducted business as a mechanic. He married Mary Rooney, a daughter of James Rooney, who came to Racine in 1855 and was also a mechanic. In his youthful days Jerome J. Foley attended St. Patrick’s parochial … Read more

Biography of William T. Davies

William T. Davies, who for five years has been engaged in general farming on section 33, Mount Pleasant Township, was born August 14, 1886, in the Township where he now makes his home, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Davies. He attended district school No. 7 in Kenosha County until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward became a student in a business college in Racine, where he spent one year. Starting out to earn his own living, he went to River Forest, Illinois, where for a year he was employed on a game farm. He was afterward … Read more