Racine County WI

Biography of Edgar A. Sears

Many of Racine County’s citizens feel that there is no need to seek a location elsewhere because of the excellent opportunities here offered for business advancement, owing to the naturally rich condition of the soil. Among this number is Edgar A. Sears, who has always lived in Caledonia Township, his birth having occurred on his father’s farm January 23, 1880. His father, Daniel Sears, was also born in Caledonia Township, his natal year being 1846, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Nellie Mann, was born in 1856. The former was a son of Lewis Sears, a native … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Henneke

Among the pioneer settlers of this County who have passed to the home beyond, but whose life’s labors contributed to the development and substantial upbuilding of the district, is numbered John Henneke, who was born in Germany in 1811. His youthful days were spent in the acquirement of a Common school education, after which he joined the army and served as an officer. At length he determined to try his fortune in the new world, and in the ’40s crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way to Racine County. His first purchase of land made him owner … Read more

Biography of Joseph J. Wilke

Joseph J. Wilke, sales manager for the Red Star Yeast Company, and since 1907 general agent for Racine County, was born in Austria, August 19, 1882, the son of John and Fannie (Vlenovsky) Wilke, who were also natives of that country. The father died in 1883 and the mother afterward married Antone Keller. In 1894 they came to the United States, settling in Racine, at which time Joseph J. Wilke was a lad of twelve years. He had previously attended school in Vienna, Austria, and in 1893 he came to the United States with an aunt. They made their way … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Jones

J. M. Jones, president, treasurer and general manager of the Racine Tool & Machine Company, is a native of Indiana and his public school education was supplemented by study in Western College at Toledo, Iowa. When a young man he taught school and afterward turned his attention to general merchandising near Rock Island, Illinois, while subsequently he became connected with the wholesale shoe business in Chicago. He afterward engaged in the banking business in Chicago and in 1900 came to Racine but went back and forth from Chicago each day. In December, 1910, he purchased the business which is now … Read more

Biography of Peter Maurice

Peter Maurice, a successful dairyman, living in Yorkville Township, is entitled to the credit which is given a self-made man, for he has depended entirely upon his own resources for advancement. He was born in Yorkville Township on the 13th of December, 1868, a son of Phillip and Mary (Gudenkauf) Maurice, both of German birth. The father’s natal year was 1825 and the mother was born on the 13th of July 1838. Philip Maurice came to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Maurice, in 1846, and the family located in Racine County, where Edward Maurice died soon afterwards. … Read more

Biography of James L. English

One of the most substantial residents of Norway Township is James L. English, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 35. In that Township he was born December 4, 1871, his parents being John and Mary (Quinn) English. The birth of the father occurred in Ireland, June 18, 1831, and in that country the paternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life. He was a weaver by trade. Coming to the new world when a young man without capital, John English worked his way steadily upward until he was possessor of a good farm in this County. … Read more

Biography of John Pugh

John Pugh, of Racine, who is filling the office of state game warden of Wisconsin, was born September 1, 1847, in the city in which he still makes his home. Almost three score years and ten have since come and gone and he has witnessed remarkable changes as the state has become thickly settled and the work of progress and improvement has been carried forward. His parents were James and Jeanette (Hughes) Pugh, both of whom were natives of Wales, but they were married in this County. The father on coming to the United States settled first in Utica, New … 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 Adelmer A. Bishop

Active and energetic through his entire business career, Adelmer A. Bishop has worked along the lines of success and that he has achieved what he has purposed is indicated in the fact that he is now proprietor of a profitable laundry business, which includes a plant erected at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. Always a resident of southeastern Wisconsin, he was born in Kenosha County, September 4, 1871, a son of the Honorable Isaac T. and Lydia Jane (Clemmons) Bishop. The father was born in Somers, Kenosha County, June 6, 1844, and is a son of Jacob Bishop, a … 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 Ernest J. Wuerzberger

Ernest J. Wuerzberger, president and treasurer of the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company, was born July 31, 1881, in the city of Racine, a son of Ernest and Louisa (Birkholz) Wuerzberger, the former a native of New York City, while the latter was born in Racine. Her father was Robert Birkholz, a veteran of the Civil War, who went to the front from Maine and after the cessation of hostilities, came to Racine. Here he was successfully identified with industrial interests, occupying the position of assistant superintendent of the Mitchell Wagon Company for many years. The paternal grandfather of … Read more