Racine County WI

Biography of Edward N. Rice

Edward N. Rice, deputy superintendent at Racine for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, has been connected with the insurance business for a number of years. He was born in Kenosha June 11, 1876, a son of Nicholas and Nellie (Keenen) Rice, the latter also a native of Kenosha. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1855, the year before James Buchanan was elected president. He settled in Kenosha, where he still makes his home, and he is now eighty-six years of age, his birth having occurred in August, 1830. His wife passed … Read more

Biography of Julius Jappe

Commercial enterprise in Racine finds admirable expression in the business history of Julius Jappe, who since 1911 has successfully conducted a jewelry store and now enjoys a substantial and gratifying trade. He has also been active in political circles and otherwise prominent in the affairs of the community. He was born in Denmark, December 25, 1860, a son of Carl and Mary Jappe, and after spending the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country he came to the United States on attaining his majority, arriving on the 1st of June, 1881. He did not tarry on the … 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 Jacob Stoffel Jr.

Jacob Stoffel, Jr., figures prominently in commercial circles as a member of the firm of Stoffel Brothers, owners of two well appointed dry goods stores in Racine, but while active and energetic in this connection he does not allow individual interests to preclude the possibility of his co-operation in public affairs and he has rendered to his city valuable service as alderman and as a member of the school board. Racine claims him as a native son, his birth having here occurred on the 2d of July, 1861, his parents being Nicholas J. and Juliana Maria (Schmidt) Stoffel, both of … Read more

Biography of Maidens Sewell

Maidens Sewell, who for thirty-seven years was identified with farming interests in this County, his labors being terminated by death on the 20th of April, 1913, was born in England on the 9th of December, 1840, his parents being John and Betsy Sewell. He obtained a common school education and during Ma youthful days assisted largely in the labors of the home farm in England, but became attracted by the opportunities which he heard existed in America and when a youth of fifteen he came to the United States, making his way to Ohio, where he resided for three years. … Read more

Biography of William T. Davies

William T. Davies, who for five years has been engaged in general farming on section 33, Mount Pleasant Township, was born August 14, 1886, in the Township where he now makes his home, his parents being Thomas and Sarah Davies. He attended district school No. 7 in Kenosha County until he reached the age of sixteen years and afterward became a student in a business college in Racine, where he spent one year. Starting out to earn his own living, he went to River Forest, Illinois, where for a year he was employed on a game farm. He was afterward … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Wuerzberger

Henry Wuerzberger is well known in Racine where he has spent his entire life. He is now the vice president of the Racine Wholesale Wine & Liquor Company, of which his elder brother Ernest J. Wuerzberger is the president and treasurer. He was born on the 17th of November, 1885, and is a son of Ernest and Louisa (Birkholz) Wuerzberger, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the history of their son Ernest J. Wuerzberger. At the usual age Henry Wuerzberger became a public school pupil in Racine and worked his way upward through consecutive … Read more

Biography of Charles O. Johnson

Charles O. Johnson, who is engaged in farming on section 14, Norway Township, is classed as one of the popular and highly esteemed residents of his community and his friends have reason to know that he merits their regard, for his entire life has been spent in this locality. He was born March 4, 1857, in Norway Township, a brother of H. F. Johnson, in connection with whose biography on another page of this work there appears mention of their parents and the family. Charles O. Johnson obtained a district school education and then took up the occupation of farming, … Read more

Biography of J. A. Schmitz

J. A. Schmitz, secretary and treasurer of the Arnold Electric Company, was born in Racine, March 9, 1862, a son of Nicholas Schmitz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, George C. Schmitz. The educational opportunities afforded J. A. Schmitz were those to he obtained in the public and parochial schools of Racine and upon attaining his majority he went, in 1883, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he accepted a position and also pursued a course in a business college. Later he opened a real estate office in that city and after … Read more

Biography of William H. Shephard

Among the newly established business enterprises of Racine is that of the Shephard Plating Company, which vas organized December 26, 1913, succeeding to the business of South, Barrell & Shephard, electro platers, which firm was organized in 1910. This business is located at No. 136 Main street and is one of the last growing, successful enterprises of the city. Actively connected with its development is William H. Shephard, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1873. After obtaining a public school education there he learned the polishing, plating and buffing trade, starting in the work in … Read more

Biography of A. J. Williams, M. D.

Rush Medical College of Chicago has sent several of its alumni to Racine and in the field of active practice they have won success and by their careers have conferred honor upon their alma mater. Such is the record of Dr. A. J. Williams, who, since 1900, has practiced continuously in Racine. He is a native son of this city born November 18, 1872, his parents being Thomas R. and Eliza (Williams) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Racine. She was a daughter of William J. Williams, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed … Read more

Biography of Walter Curtis Palmer

The various interests and activities of life maintain a splendid balance in Walter Curtis Palmer, an able and successful lawyer and judge, an enterprising business man, a public-spirited citizen and a faithful friend. He works well and plays well. He has the power of concentration, which enables him to put aside the cares and responsibilities of business when business hours are over and turn with equal zest to those activities and interests which relieve the stress and strain of professional and commercial life and constitute the upbuilding forces which qualify the individual for the labors of the succeeding day. Mr. … 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

Biographical Sketch of James Higgins

James Higgins, secretary of the Higgins Spring & Axle Company, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. September 6. 1880, while his father, Michael Higgins, mentioned above, was a resident of that city. He supplemented his public school education by study in Niagara University, in which he spent two years, and later he engaged in business with his father, entering into active connection with the Higgins Spring & Axle Company. in which he is now holding a position of administrative direction and executive control as secretary and manager. He has acquainted himself with every department of the work and is familiar with … Read more

Biography of Arthur C. Harris

Arthur C. Harris, manager at Racine for the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company, was born in Jackson, Michigan. He passed through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high school student and took his initial step in the business world as an employee of the Commonwealth Power Company in his native city. He afterward worked his way upward, becoming sales manager of the power department. His entire life experience has been along this line, bringing him constantly broadening knowledge and efficiency. He was also with the Grand Rapids-Muskegon Company of Grand Rapids as sales manager in … Read more

Biography of John M. Scott

The name of John M. Scott appears on the list of the successful business Wren of Racine. He possesses inventive genius that has made valuable contributions to the world and, moreover, he has the executive ability that enables him to place his inventions upon the market at a profitable figure. Racine County is proud to number him among her native sons. His birth occurred in Raymond Township on the 17th of January, 1844, his parents being Elias and Hannah Scott, natives of New York. ‘Wisconsin was still under territorial rule when they removed westward, establishing their home in Racine County, … 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

Biography of August J. Eisenhut

August J. Eisenhut, who since April, 1910, has filled the office of city treasurer of Racine, having been re-elected to this position without opposition, was born on the 22d of October, 1876, his parents being August and Martha Eisenhut. The father was born March 27. 1852, and came to the United States with his son August in the year 1881 and remained for a short time a resident of New York City, but the same year removed westward to Milwaukee, where he resided until the fall of that year and then came to Racine. He is a machinist by trade … Read more

Biography of N. C. Pedersen

N. C. Pedersen, engaged in the real estate business in Racine, was born in Denmark, February 22, 1851, a son of Peter Nelson and Christine (Christensen) Pedersen, who spent their entire lives in Denmark. Their son, N. C. Pedersen, was reared and educated in that country and forty-four years ago came to the United States, being at the time a young man of about twenty-one years. He was lured by the hope of finding better business opportunities in the new world, nor did he find that the hope was a fallacy, for he here met conditions that enabled him to … 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