Racine County WI

Biography of John E. Rowlands

John E. Rowlands, one of the well known, prominent and successful representatives of the real estate and insurance business in Racine, has concentrated his efforts upon this field of activity since January, 1907, when he retired from the position of register of deeds. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, December 18, 1856, a son of David W. and Mary E. (Jehu) Rowlands, both of whom were natives of Wales and when young people came to the new world, being married at Southport, Wisconsin. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Jehu, who about 1839 brought his family … 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 William Smith

William Smith, of Union Grove, has been identified with various business interests and his acumen and initiative have enabled him to gain financial independence. He is now largely living retired but still engages in the real estate business to some extent, holds title to one hundred and eighty acres of fine land and also owns the hotel in Union Grove. He was born in Dover, Racine County, on the 10th of September, 1853, a son of William Smith, Sr., whose birth occurred in County Norfolk, England, on the 17th of July, 1817. He emigrated to America in 1839 and after … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wherrey Jr.

Robert Wherrey, Jr., identified with farming interests, his home being on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in Racine on the 1st of January, 1885, and in the acquirement of his education passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high grade school pupil. In the intervening period he has been engaged in business with his father and is now conducting a farm on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, where he carefully and wisely directs the interests of the home farm. In his fraternal relations Mr. Wherrey is well known, holding membership in Racine Lodge, … Read more

Biography of Charles Freeman

Charles Freeman is numbered among the successful business men of Racine, being active in the ownership and conduct of a mammoth manufacturing plant, his interests being conducted under the name of the S. Freeman & Sons Manufacturing Company, of which he is the president. This has become one of the important productive industries of the city and throughout his entire business career Mr. Freeman has been associated with the undertaking, starting out in this line when a youth of fourteen. He was born in Washington County. Illinois, March 17, 1858, and is a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (Willich) Freeman, … 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 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 Thomas Henry Acklam

Thomas Henry Acklam, who has been a lifelong resident of Racine County, now makes his home on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, and since 1S92 has resided upon this place, which comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres. Its improvements are all the work of his hands and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. From early boyhood his attention has been given to the work of the fields. He was born in Racine, August 29, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Harriett (Bean) Acklam. In his youthful days he attended the common schools and … Read more

Biography of T. J. Smader

T. J. Smader, political leader, able business man and sportsman, whose activities and interests have been of a. character that have promoted public progress along many lines, was born in Caledonia Township, this County, December 2, 1878, a son of Tobias and Mary Smader, both of whom were natives of Bohemia, in which country they were reared and married. At an early day they came to the United States, settling at Racine, and Mr. Smader purchased a farm in Caledonia Township on which he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death about eight years ago, his widow surviving him … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John S. Hart Sr.

From an early period in the development of Racine the name of Hart has been closely connected with its history. John S. Hart was the representative of the family in the first generation living in this city. A native of Meredith, New Hampshire, he was born March 13, 1823, and upon his removal westward from New England in the early ’40s he settled at Baraboo, Wisconsin. After about a decade there passed he came with his family to Racine in the early ’50s and engaged in the woolen mill business as one of the founders of the enterprise of which … Read more

Biography of Stiles Moe

Among the most highly esteemed and honored residents of Union Grove is Stiles Moe, who owns a general store and who still manages his business affairs although he has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. His birth occurred in Lorain County, Ohio, on the 29th of January, 1834, and he is a son of Edwin and Mehetabel (Case) Moe. The family immigrated to America from the north of France prior to the Revolutionary war, having been driven from their native land by religious persecution. Isaac Moe, the great-grandfather, who was born in Plattsburg, New York, served as a … 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 Frederick J. Osius

“Opportunity knocks but once” and Frederick J. Osius has never waited for the second knock but has improved every chance that has come. Moreover, he possesses the energy and tenacity to successfully complete what he undertakes and his work in several respects is notable. America leads the world in invention. Wherever work has been extensively carried on by hand, man’s ingenuity has set to work to contrive labor-saving devices whereby the output could be increased at a minimum expenditure of time and material. ft is this inventive genius, combined with mechanical and technical skill and fostered by a laudable ambition, … Read more

Biography of John Kearney

John Kearney, who is engaged in farming in Raymond Township, was born in Racine on the 5th of September, 1850, a son of Michael and Mary Ann (Whaley) Kearney. The father was born in Rose Green, Ireland, September 29, 1818, and when a youth of sixteen years crossed the Atlantic, working in New York for a time. He afterward removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, and still later purchased an interest in a milling company in Muskegon. Michigan. The business venture there met with failure, however, and he removed to Racine. Willing to take any work that would yield him an … Read more

Biography of A. Arthur Guilbert

A. Arthur Guilbert, whose high rank and undeniable skill as an architect enables him to command a most liberal patronage and the evidence of whose ability is found in many of the leading structures of this city, was born in Racine, August. 8. 1869, a son of Albert W. and Celia M. (Pease) Guilbert. The father, also a native of Racine, was a son of Albert W. Guilbert, who was born on the isle of Guernsey and who in 1838 arrived in Racine, ere the admission of the state into the Union and ere the little village which is now … Read more

Biography of John G. Osborne

John G. Osborne, president and treasurer of the Lakeside Malleable Castings Company, of Racine, was born Ill Milwaukee, October 2, 1878, a son of W. H. and Ada (Goodrich) Osborne, of Milwaukee, where the father is president of the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company. He was a son of W. H. Osborne, who removed to southern Michigan about the year 1840. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John R. Goodrich, who established his home in Milwaukee in 1850. John G. Osborne attended the Milwaukee Academy and afterward entered the University of Wisconsin from which he was graduated in 1900 with … 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 Augustus B. Crane

No history of the pioneer development of Racine County would be complete were there failure to make reference to Augustus B. Crane, who arrived here in 1839 and continued to make his home within the borders of the County for nearly seven decades. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1823, and at an early age was left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Racine County in 1839, and throughout his remaining days was closely identified with the agricultural progress of his community. … Read more

Biography of Edward Henry Skewes

Edward Henry Skewes is a representative of one of the old families of Racine County and has passed his entire life here, as his birth occurred in Yorkville Township. He is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres in that Township and is there engaged in the dairy business, shipping milk to Chicago and likewise raising cabbage, which he also disposes of in the city markets. His natal day was the 12th of May, 1869, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, the former born in 1838 and the latter … 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