Racine County WI

Biography of Edward D. Davis

A substantial proportion of the citizenship of Mount Pleasant Township has come from Wales, being a representative of a Welsh emigration either in the first or second generation. Edward D. Davis, born near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, lived for many years on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, and was regarded as one of its substantial and worthy citizens, continuing his residence there up to the time of his death. His birth occurred in January, 1831, and he obtained a common school education in his native land, there remaining until he reached the age of seventeen, when in 1848 he crossed … Read more

Biography of William F. C. Biehn

William F. C. Biehn ranks among the most successful of the younger farmers of the County and derives a good income from his well directed labors. He was born in Kenosha County, on the 3d of October, 1886, and is a son of Fred W. and Bertha (Steffen) Biehn, natives of Germany, the former born in 1825 and the latter in 1841. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Biehn, passed his entire life in Germany but the maternal grandfather immigrated to this country and located in Milwaukee, where he had a milk route. Fred W. Biehn, who was the oldest of a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fred Reichert

Fred Reichert, a well known contractor of Racine, was born November 6, 1886, in this city, his parents being Nichola F. and Catherine (Becker) Reichert, who were also natives of this city. The paternal grandfather, Frederick Reichert, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and in early manhood came to the new world, here following the occupation of farming. He cast in his lot with the early settlers of Racine County and his son, Nichola F., was born and reared on the old homestead farm and became a contractor and builder. He was thus identified with building operations in this County for … Read more

Biography of Orlando Canfield Munroe

Many years have come and gone since Orlando Canfield Munroe was called to his final rest, but the result of his labors is still manifest, as he was for many years a most progressive and energetic agriculturist and succeeded in transforming a large tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township into rich and productive fields. He was born in Bennington, Vermont. December 12, 1818, and was in the seventieth year of his age when he passed away in this County on the 9th of June, 1888. He had obtained a common school education in the east and in 1845 came … Read more

Biography of George L. Buck

George L. Buck, president of the Racine Iron & Wire Works, is actuated in all that. he does by a spirit of indefatigable enterprise and during the decade in which he has been at the head of his present interests has so directed the course of his activities that his labors have spelled success. One of New England’s native sons, he was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1865, a son of David and Charlotte (Olin) Buck, the former of Welsh descent, while the latter was of Scotch lineage, although both families have long been represented in the United States. The … Read more

Biography of Gus Beecher

Farming interests of Union Grove find a worthy representative in Gus Beecher, who for sixty-five years has been a resident of this section of the state. He was born in Germany. November 27, 1849, a son of John Casper and Rebecca (Lentz) Beecher, both of whom were natives of Germany, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Kenosha County in 1851 and the father purchased forty acres of good land. To this he added from time to time until he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, which … Read more

Biography of Bernard Brehm

Bernard Brehm was closely identified with the business interests and civic progress of the city of Burlington for a period of nearly sixty years. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1844, the son of Frank and Agnes Brehm, also natives of Baden, and with his parents, brother and sister, came to America in 1854, reaching Burlington by ox team from Racine. The father, Frank Brehm, was a weaver and musician and engaged in various occupations until his death in 1889, having survived his wife for five years. Bernard Brehm received but a limited education, but being possessed of a … Read more

Biography of Martin Larsen

Martin Larsen, one of the partners in the business conducted under the name of the Junction Furniture Company at No. 1326 Washington Avenue, was born in Denmark, January 22, 1869, a son of Lars and Maria Hansen. He obtained his education in his native country and in the year 1886 arrived in Wisconsin, settling at Neenah. He had previously learned’ the cigar maker’s trade and he followed that business in Neenah for a year, after which he was employed in a similar capacity in Oshkosh for four years. He arrived in Racine in 1891 and here followed his trade for … Read more

Biography of John F. Wadewitz

Broad and varied have been the experiences which have come to John F. Wadewitz because of his extensive travels. A native of Germany, he spent some time in Australia, while in the year 1850 he first arrived in Racine. Here he has made his home almost continuously since, although absent for brief intervals at different periods. In 1886 he established a trunk manufacturing business, which in 1889 was incorporated as the Racine Trunk Company, and in this enterprise he has since been financially interested, although not active in the management, for he is now enjoying a well earned rest, having … Read more

Biography of E. G. H. Wendt

A large proportion of Racine’s citizens have received business training in the J. I. Case Threshing Machine works and that the training is thorough is indicated in the fact that success has attended the efforts of many since they started out independently. Such has been the record of E. G. H. Wendt, who conducts a real estate, insurance and loan agency, in which connection he is accorded a liberal patronage. He was born in Germany, July 22, 1860, a son of Robert and Augusta Wendt, who arrived in Racine on the 29th of November, 1869. The father had been a … Read more

Biography of Morris Carl Matsen

Morris Carl Matsen is operating a wood and coal business, with moving and storage as a department of his undertaking. His patronage has grown steadily and today his is one of the important enterprises of this character in Racine. Diligence and determination have been the crowning points in the career of Mr. Matsen and success has been the legitimate result of his industry. He was born in Jutland. Denmark, on the 17th of August. 1881, a son of Peter and Anna M. (Scriber) Matsen, who were born, reared and married in Denmark and came to the United States in 1897, … Read more