P. Walter Petersen. a speculative builder of Racine whose activities have constituted an important element in the improvement and development of the city, particularly on the west side, was born in Odense, Denmark, March 31, 1878, as son of Soren and Maren (Hansdatter) Petersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. P. Walter Petersen is …
Otto Edward Ahrens is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stability of every community, for through thirteen years he has been actively engaged in the practice or law. During this period he has made steady progress in his profession, owing to the possession of certain qualities. He throws …
Fred W. Swantz, of Yorkville Township, is one of the native sons of Racine County who has continued to reside here after reaching, mature years, as he is convinced that the opportunities offered the industrious man here are equal to those to he found elsewhere. He has been active in the real estate field for …
Herbert Van Bree, president of the Racine Traveling Bag Company and also of the Racine Electric Company, is numbered among Wisconsin’s native sons, his birth having occurred at Barton on the 25th of June, 1861, and his parents being Jerry and Johanna Van Bree, both of whom were natives of Holland. They were reared in …
There are few cities which owe their existence to a single manufacturing or industrial enterprise but rather to the aggregation of many business interests. Yet among these there are always some that stand out prominently as most potent factors in the commercial growth and prosperity of the community. Such a place in Racine circles is …
Harrison Fellows, who figured in business circles of Racine as a dealer in coal and wood and who was also identified with shipping interests as part owner of lake vessels, passed away on the 1st of April, 1887. He had scarcely yet reached the prime of life, his birth having occurred in Williamstown, Vermont, July …
Stephen H. Freeman needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the name of Freeman is too well known in Racine to require special comment. Born September 15, 1870, in the city in which he still resides, he obtained a public school education, attending high school for two years, and at the age …
John T. Gittings, a well known lawyer of Union Grove. is giving particular attention to the probating of estates and has built up a large practice in that line. He also has extensive business interests, being secretary of The Greenhouse Company, which is capitalized for thirty thousand dollars, and vice president of the firm of …
Alexander Sumpter, residing in Union Grove, devotes his attention to general farming and to the raising of chickens and his business has assumed extensive proportions, bringing a good financial return. He was born in Yorkville, Wisconsin, September 6, 1864, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Cheasman) Sumpter, both of whom were natives …
John O. Jones, conducting an extensive contracting business under the name of the Western Improvement Company, has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions in street paving, a business that extends over many adjoining states. Mr. Jones was born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, on the 23d of June, 1856, and is a son of …
John O’Laughlin, who died July 15, 1913, was well known as the head of the John O’Laughlin Stone Company, owning quarries at Racine, Waukesha and Waterloo, Wisconsin. His business reached extensive proportions and in its management he displayed unfaltering enterprise and keen discernment. He was born at Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 1856, …
