Racine County WI

Biography of William E. Lewis

Although William E. Lewis was long associated with agricultural interests of this County, he is now residing retired in the city of Racine, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life’s journey, his birth having occurred in Putnam County. New York, June 6, 1842, his parents being Alfred and Jane (Barrett) Lewis, both of whom died during the early youth of their son, William. In the year 1834 William E. Lewis, then a youth of twelve years, and his brother, Alfred L., came west with Nathan Howes, one of … Read more

Biography of William Horlick

William Horlick, of Racine, is numbered among the constructive business men of the country, as he founded and has built up the Horlick Malted Milk Company, of which he is now treasurer. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, February 23, 1846, and is the youngest of the nine children born to his parents, James and Priscilla (Griffiths) Horlick. The family is one of the oldest in England and the following account of its history is taken from Burke’s Peerage: “The family name of Harlech or Horlick is of Norman-French derivation, and the natural conclusion drawn is that the Harlechs or … Read more

Biography of Charles O. Johnson

Charles O. Johnson, who is engaged in farming on section 14, Norway Township, is classed as one of the popular and highly esteemed residents of his community and his friends have reason to know that he merits their regard, for his entire life has been spent in this locality. He was born March 4, 1857, in Norway Township, a brother of H. F. Johnson, in connection with whose biography on another page of this work there appears mention of their parents and the family. Charles O. Johnson obtained a district school education and then took up the occupation of farming, … Read more

Biography of George Alvin Uebele

George Alvin Uebele, cashier of the Bank of Burlington, exemplifies in his business career that thoroughness and efficiency which have always characterized the institution which he represents, making it one of the strong financial centers of southeastern Wisconsin. His entire life has been spent in this section of the state, his birth having occurred at Wheatland, Kenosha County, February 25, 1874. His father, Frederick Uebele, a native of Germany, came to America in the early ’50s and settled in Wheatland, near Slades Corners. He was but eight years of age when his parents died and in 1848 the children of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George B. Wilson

George B. Wilson, who has been actively associated with important business interests of Racine, was born in Boston. Massachusetts, in 1871, and. spending the first twenty-five years of his life in his native city, was accorded liberal educational privileges. He prepared for college at the Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, the oldest public school in America, and received the degree A. B. cum laude from Harvard University with the class of 1894. He then spent some time in the Harvard Graduate School in preparation for the profession of mining engineer and was afterward for many years actively engaged in … Read more

Biography of L. C. Christensen

L. C. Christensen is one of the extensive land owners of Racine County, his holdings embracing more than five hundred acres, much of which he now rents, but gives personal supervision to the further cultivation and improvement of a tract of eighty acres, on which he conducts a large wholesale and retail live stock business. There is something stimulating in the life record of such a man as Mr. Christensen, who owes his success to his own efforts, his record proving what may be accomplished when energy and ambition point out the way. He was born in Norway Township, this … Read more

Biography of William Henkel

A valuable farm property of one hundred and seventy-five acres situated on Sections 11 and 13, Raymond Township, pays substantial annual tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner, William Henkel, who is a representative agriculturist of Racine County. His business affairs are most carefully and wisely managed and his splendid success is the direct and merited reward of his own labors. He was born in Germany, October 25, 1853, a son of Henry and Charlotte (Guth) Henkel, who were also natives of the fatherland. On coming to the new world they settled in Raymond Township, … 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 Hon. J. H. Kamper

Hon. J. H. Kamper, who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits near North Cape, was born in Denmark, December 17, 1857, a son of Peter H. and Christina (Rasmussen) Kamper. The father was born in Denmark in 1822 and died in the year 1896, while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1820, passed away in 1894. They were married in Denmark and in 1866 became residents of Yorkville Township, Racine County, where Mr. Kamper rented land. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Raymond Township, a tract of fifty acres, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. He was a member of … 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 Henry C. Wiegand

Henry C. Wiegand is today one of the oldest jewelry merchants in Racine in years of connection with the trade, having established his store about 1896. Throughout the intervening period the establishment has largely set the standard for activity in this line in the city, for he carries a large and attractive stock and his business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Born in Racine on the 1st of May, 1872, he is a son of Conrad and Anna (Haas) Wiegand, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world, … 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

Biographical Sketch of David G. Janes

David G. Janes enjoys the unique distinction of being the only man now occupying a dominant position in the business life of Racine, of whose father it may be said with equal truth that he was an important factor in the actual founding of the city eighty years ago. Mr. Janes was born in Racine, April 2, 1852, and has lived here all of his life, getting his education in the public schools of the city. He is married and has three daughters and two sons, one of whom, Arthur R., is associated in business with him. Mr. Janes is … Read more

Biography of John Stoffel

A notable business record is that of John Stoffel, who for forty-one years has been at the head of a cigar factory in Racine and today has the largest establishment of the kind in the city. His commercial career is as an open book which all may read. His trade has developed along legitimate lines of business and his success has been built upon honorable methods and the excellence of the product turned out by the factory. Mr. Stoffel was born in Racine, April 10, 1855, a son of Nicholas J. and Juliana Maria (Schmidt) Stoffel, born respectively in Neierkirch … Read more

Biography of Jacob W. Smith

Jacob W. Smith, whose extensive farming interests are in Crittenden Township, has known Champaign County as a home for nearly thirty years. His work and management have brought him success to a high degree, and he has long enjoyed a position among the most influential residents of southern Champaign County. Mr. Smith was born in Racine County, Wisconsin, November 30, 1858. His parents, Frederick and Catherine (Bienemann) Smith, were both natives of Germany, his father of Mecklenburg. The father came to America when about eighteen years of age and spent his active life as a farmer in Wisconsin, where he … 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 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 H. E. Kastensen

The rich farming country near Franksville contains many excellent properties, among which is the Evergreen Lawn Farm, the home place of H. E. Kastensen, who has resided thereon since 1886, purchasing a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, which has responded readily and richly to the care that he has bestowed upon it. To other fields of labor he has also extended his efforts and is regarded as a wide-awake, alert and progressive business man. He was born in Denmark, February 10, 1852, a son of Kastensen Ericksen and Laura Kastensen, who were also natives of Denmark, … Read more

Biography of Hans P. Hansen

Hans P. Hansen, who carries on general farming in Raymond Township, near Franksville, is the owner of one hundred and forty-two acres of rich, arable land, in the midst of which stands one of the beautiful country residences of Racine County. Mr. Hansen may well be proud of his attractive home, as it is an indication of his intelligently directed energy and thrift. He was born in Denmark, July 5, 1869, and is a son of Nels and Jennie (Hansen) Hansen, who always remained residents of Denmark, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1835. The father is … Read more

Biography of A. Cary Judd

A. Cary Judd, who has occupied various public offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, has a most creditable record. He was born in Frankfort, New York, April 16, 1850, a son of George. B. and Margaret Ann (Cary) Judd, the former a native of Connecticut, born March 26, 1801, and the latter born in New York hi 1806. The father came to Racine in 1856 in search of a favorable location, for he desired to become identified with the growing middle west. In March, 1857, he brought his family to Racine and entered upon … Read more