Racine County WI

Biography of Thomas P. Owens

Almost a quarter of a century has come and gone since Thomas P. Owens departed this life but he is yet remembered as a substantial and valued citizen of Racine County, where for many years he actively and successfully engaged in farming. He was born in Wales, September 20, 1820, a son of Thomas Owens, Sr. In the common schools of Wales he pursued his education and was a man of thirty-one years when in 1851 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He immediately made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Racine County, where … Read more

Biography of Frank Kellogg Bull

The name of Bull has been associated with the development of Racine’s greatest industry and one of the most important manufacturing enterprises of the country-the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company-since 1S63, when Stephen Bull assumed financial management of the enterprise. He was succeeded in the presidency of the company by his son, Frank Kellogg Bull, who remains in active connection with the business at the present time as chairman of the board, and in all the years his developing powers have proven adequate to the demands made upon him in the control and development of this gigantic concern. Mr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George B. Wilson

George B. Wilson, who has been actively associated with important business interests of Racine, was born in Boston. Massachusetts, in 1871, and. spending the first twenty-five years of his life in his native city, was accorded liberal educational privileges. He prepared for college at the Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, the oldest public school in America, and received the degree A. B. cum laude from Harvard University with the class of 1894. He then spent some time in the Harvard Graduate School in preparation for the profession of mining engineer and was afterward for many years actively engaged in … Read more

Biography of Sinclair M. Driver

Sinclair M. Driver, president of the T. Driver & Sons Manufacturing Company. is closely associated with the industrial interests of Racine. He has long been connected with the business and his enterprise has been a dominant factor in its successful control in late years. Mr. Driver was born in Racine. Wisconsin. June 8, 1856. a son of Thomas and Marian (Mainland) Driver, who, in 1854, came to Racine -from the Orkney Islands of Scotland. Making his way to this city he entered the employ of Lucas Bradley, with whom he remained for several years, and then in 1867 purchased the … Read more

Biography of Bert Edward Dunn

Bert Edward Dunn one of the proprietors of the Elite Laundry, has proven in his life record that success is not a matter of genius or the result of fortunate circumstances, but is the outcome of indefatigable industry, clear judgment and experience. He was born in Dalton, New York, June 28, 1869, a son of Albert and Nellie (Gearhart) Dunn, the former a farmer by occupation. He obtained a public school education and then turned his attention to cheese making. in which business he engaged for three years. In 1890 he arrived in Chicago and was engaged in railroading for … 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

Biographical Sketch of George Acklam

The decade of the ’40s brought to southeastern Wisconsin many citizens who became permanent residents and were active in promoting conditions that have brought about present-day progress and prosperity. To this number belonged George Acklam, who arrived in Racine in 1849, being at that time a man of about thirty-two years, his birth having occurred in England in 1817. He pursued a common school education and there engaged in farming until 1848, when he determined to embrace the opportunities offered in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. For a year he resided in Adams County, … Read more

Biography of Hon. John B. Simmons

Hon. John B. Simmons, whose writings were valuable contributions to legal literature and whose career as a member of the bar has reflected credit and honor upon the profession, has engaged in practice in Racine since 1898, being now senior partner in the firm of Simmons & Walker. He was born in McHenry County, Illinois, October 26, 1S51, a son of James and Catherine (McCotter) Simmons, both of whom were natives of Vermont. Upon removing to the middle west in 1842 James Simmons resided for a time at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, but afterward took up his abode in McHenry County. … Read more

Biography of John G. Osborne

John G. Osborne, president and treasurer of the Lakeside Malleable Castings Company, of Racine, was born Ill Milwaukee, October 2, 1878, a son of W. H. and Ada (Goodrich) Osborne, of Milwaukee, where the father is president of the Wisconsin Malleable Iron Company. He was a son of W. H. Osborne, who removed to southern Michigan about the year 1840. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John R. Goodrich, who established his home in Milwaukee in 1850. John G. Osborne attended the Milwaukee Academy and afterward entered the University of Wisconsin from which he was graduated in 1900 with … Read more

Biography of William Meadows

William Meadows is a brick and tile manufacturer of Burlington but leaves the active management of the business to his sons, for he is now well advanced in years and deserves to enjoy the rest which he has truly earned. He was born in Lancashire, England, July 6, 1833, a son of George and Elizabeth (Greenwood) Meadows. The father, who come of an old English family, was foreman of a cotton manufacturing company of England, where he remained until 1842, when he came to the United States and settled at Burlington Flats, Otsego County, New York, bringing the family to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Hilker

Henry Hilker, engaged in the wholesale candy business in Racine, now having a large jobbing trade, was born November 14, 1871. in the city in which he still resides, a son of Adolph and Caroline (Broeker) Hilker, who were born, reared and married in Germany, living in the kingdom of Hanover. They came to the United States about 1866 and established their home in Racine where the father, who was a brick maker, continued in business until his death, which occurred in. the year 1900. His widow now makes her home in Racine. The family residence was maintained in Racine … 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

Biographical Sketch of John Albert De Moulpied

John Albert De Moulpied, representing one of the prominent pioneer families of Racine County, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, September 18, 1865, a son of Nicholas De Moulpied, whose sketch is given above. He attended the district schools and afterward spent a year in study in the schools of Racine, subsequent to which time he returned to the farm, whereon he has since remained with the exception of one year spent in South Dakota near Alexandria. Like his father, he has always carried on agricultural pursuits and he has brought his land to a high state of cultivation, his … Read more

Biography of George C. Schmitz

It has been said that a successful corporation is not only a “maker of money but a maker of men.” It is true that opportunity calls forth latent powers and stimulates the energy and ambition of the individual, but it is equally true that the individual must have in him those inherent qualities which make for success, and then the combination of opportunity and industry will bring its results. This has been manifested in the career of George C. Schmitz, president and manager of the Arnold Electric Company, which in a period of twelve years has developed its interests into … Read more

Biography of Harry W. Apple

One of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Norway Township is Harry W. Apple, whose home is on section 26. He has been a lifelong resident of that Township, where his birth occurred June 29. 1875. His parents, Adam and Dorothy (Eckels) Apple, were natives of Germany, the former born in 1839 and the latter in 1849. They were married, however, in Norway Township, this County, and continued to make their home here throughout the remainder of their lives, the father dying in April, 1907, and the mother in February, 1913. In 1849 the father went to California and … Read more

Biography of L. P. Valentine, M. D.

Dr. L. P. Valentine, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Corliss, is one of the progressive and successful physicians of Racine County. He was born in New York city on the 20th of September, 1872, a son of Francis and Pauline Valentine, natives of France, who returned to that country when their son, L. P., was but three months old. He acquired an excellent education in France and did his college work in the Lycée Charlemagne in Paris, graduating at the age of eighteen. He then returned to New York, but after three months went to Louisville, … Read more

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 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 John E. Rowlands

John E. Rowlands, one of the well known, prominent and successful representatives of the real estate and insurance business in Racine, has concentrated his efforts upon this field of activity since January, 1907, when he retired from the position of register of deeds. He was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, December 18, 1856, a son of David W. and Mary E. (Jehu) Rowlands, both of whom were natives of Wales and when young people came to the new world, being married at Southport, Wisconsin. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Jehu, who about 1839 brought his family … Read more