Racine County WI

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 Fritchen

George Fritchen is a representative of one of the old families of Raymond Township, represented in this County for sixty-five years, for it was in 1851 that his parents, William and Gertrude (Fettin) Fritchen, established their home in this part of the state. They were both natives of Germany, the former born near Krehfeldt. In the fatherland they were reared and married and then, determining to try their fortune on this side the Atlantic, they sailed for the United States and in 1851 reached Racine County, becoming residents of Raymond Township. They were in very limited financial circumstances and Mr. … Read more

Biography of F. Arthur Morey

Among those whose success in the real estate and insurance business entitles them to representation as leading business men of Racine is F. Arthur Morey, who has been a lifelong resident of this city. He is a representative of one of-the old families of Wisconsin and the lineage can be traced back to England, whence in 1626 three brothers of the name sailed for the new world, settling in Massachusetts. One branch of the family subsequently took the name of Mowry and the other the name of Morey. Darius J. Morey, the great-grandfather of F. Arthur Morey, was a native … 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 Frank H. Miller

Frank H. Miller, secretary-treasurer of the Commercial Press Company of Racine, became one of the owners of this business on the 17th of August, 1903, after having previously served for a number of years as foreman. Since that date he has been active in the management of the concern and has become more and more largely interested as a stockholder. He was born in this city November 24, 1879, a son of Leo F. and Theresa (Huck) Miller. The father was likewise a native of this city and the mother of Newark, New Jersey, both being born in the year … 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

Biography of Edward Zahn

Edward Zahn, organizer and proprietor of the Zahn Dry Goods Company, has continuously been at the head of this business which is now one of the important commercial enterprises of the city. It was organized in 1898 and through the intervening period of eighteen years has been developed in accordance with modern commercial methods. Edward Zahn was born in Walworth County, this state, on the 3d of April, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Eliza Zahn. The father, a native of Germany, was born in 1823, and came to America in the year 1841, settling in Cincinnati, where … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Henry Eichhorn

Eichhorn, Charles Henry; banker; born, Racine, Wis., Jan. 17, 1859; son of Jacob and Clara Elizabeth Behring Eichhorn; educated, Cleveland public schools, graduated from West High, in 1879; married, Cleveland, June 27, 1894, Lulu J. Challacombe; one son, 9 years old; taught school Delray, Mich., 1879 to 1882; Cleveland public schools. 1882-1886; sec ‘y to supt. of Schools. 1886-1892; sec’y The Brooklyn Building & Loan Ass’n Co., 1892 to present date; cashier The State Banking & Trust Co.; director The Masonic Temple Ass’n; 33rd° Mason; Past Grand Commander, Knight Templars of Ohio; 1st Lieut. Commander Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. … Read more

Biography of James Callen

James Callen, who is conducting a mercantile establishment and saloon in Caledonia, was born September 15, 1862, in the Township where he now resides, his parents being James and Mary (Duffy) Callen. The paternal grandfather was Nicholas Callen. who in 1849 arrived in Caledonia Township, Racine County, and died at the home of his son. The maternal grandfather, Patrick Duffy, died in Ireland. James Callen, Sr., was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America in 1849, when a youth of sixteen years. He worked on different farms for a time, during which period he carefully saved … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Patrick

Joseph J. Patrick, filling the office of County clerk, was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, May 3, 1882, a son of John and Marie (Mealy) Patrick. The father was born in Waterford, Racine County, February 8, 1857, and was a son of Joseph Patrick, a stonemason by trade, who came to this country at an early period in its development, working at his trade here until called to his final rest, at the age of sixty-five years. John Patrick was reared in this County and has made farming his life work. He wedded Mary Mealy, who was born in Dover … 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

Biography of Milton J. Knoblock

Milton J. Knoblock, who, since his admission to the bar, in February, 1910, has engaged in the practice of law in Racine, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2, 1883, a son of Charles and Ida (Oetking) Knoblock, who, in the year 1888, became residents of Racine. hi early manhood the father engaged in business as a traveling salesman, but afterward became identified with manufacturing interests as the president of the Racine Malleable Iron Company, so serving until 1899. He afterward went upon the road again as a traveling salesman. His death occurred at San Antonio, Texas, May 1, 1904. … Read more

Biography of Henry W. Lewis

Henry W. Lewis is actively engaged in the cultivation of a good farm on section 24, Mount Pleasant Township. This farm is connected with the County insane asylum and he has been its superintendent for eight years. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, March 8, 1868, a son of Andrew Jackson and Hattie (Northrup) Lewis, the former a native of New York and the latter of Wisconsin. They were married at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in 1864, and they became the parents of two sons, Henry W. and Roy. The latter wedded Mary Zimmerman and they became the parents of … Read more

Biography of Walter A. Bull

WALTER A. BULL.- In the gentleman whose name heads this brief memoir, we find one of the most substantial farmers of the Kittitass valley, and the owner of the beautiful ranch, a view of which finds a place in this work. He is a native of Albany, New York, and was born June 20, 1838, being the son of John and Sarah (Fish) Bull. When our subject was ten years of age, he with his parents moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where his father engaged in the shipping business on the lakes, and where Walter attended school and resided until twenty … Read more

Biography of William Wellborn Acklam

Throughout practically his entire life William Wellborn Acklam has been a resident of Racine County and from the age of fifteen years has been dependent upon his own resources, being therefore a self-made man. He was born July 27, 1854, of the marriage of George and Harriett (Bean) Acklam, and in his youthful days attended the common schools of Racine and afterward the district schools of Mount Pleasant Township, but his textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of fifteen and he started out in business on his own account. For two years he worked in the lumber … Read more

Biography of Clinton Skewes

Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine County, Wisconsin. The father … Read more

Biography of David H. Flett

David H. Flett, attorney at law, was born at Kirkwell, Scotland, September 12, 1846, and came with his parents to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in September, 1855. His early education was acquired in the district schools, after which he attended the Racine high school for two terms, and in 1875 he was graduated at the Oberlin (Ohio) College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. That same year he was elected superintendent of schools for Kenosha County and held the office until 1877. He was then principle of the high school at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, until 1879, and in 1880 graduated in … Read more

Biography of George W. Miller

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Racine’s industrial and commercial development without learning that the Miller family has played an important part in shaping the record along that line. George W. Miller is now treasurer of the J. Miller Company, shoe manufacturers, having one of the important concerns of this kind in the state. He was born in Racine, July 12, 1866, a son of Joseph Miller, founder and promoter of the business, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the McMynn Academy after mastering the elementary branches of learning taught … Read more

Biography of Henry August Hilker

Watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, wide-awake and alert, Henry August Hilker has so directed his efforts that success in substantial measure is now within his grasp and his business activities furthermore are of a character that contributes to public prosperity as well as to the advancement of personal interests. He is today manager of the Red Seal Oil Company and for a long period has been connected with the manufacture and sale of brick in Racine. At the present time he is platting and developing a fine summer resort. Racine claims Mr. Hilker as a native son; he … Read more

Biography of Judge Elbert Osborne Hand

Judge Elbert Osborne Hand, long a distinguished member of the Racine bar and for thirteen years occupying the bench of the County court, passed away June 19, 1915, an occasion which carried with it a sense of deep regret and sorrow to many who have been his associates and contemporaries. He was then nearing the eighty-fifth milestone on life’s journey and there came to him “the blessed accompaniments of age-honor, riches, and troops of friends.” Judge Hand was a native of New Lebanon, Columbia County, New York, born November 29, 1830, and came of English ancestry in both the maternal … Read more