Racine County WI

Biography of Edward Frank Freeman

Edward Frank Freeman, the youngest of the Freeman Brothers, who constitute the S. Freeman & Sons Manufacturing Company, has spent his entire life in Racine, where his birth occurred on the 25th of June, 1877. Entering the public schools, he passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which in due time he was graduated. The interest of the family had centered in the manufacturing establishment founded by his father and it was a natural and logical step that he should make his initial business effort in that connection. In 1897 he entered the factory and under the guidance … Read more

Biography of Fred Krenzke

Fred Krenzke has built up and is successfully conducting an extensive dairy business, which he started in 1901 and which has grown steadily since. He was born in Racine, February 20, 1876, a son of August and Minnie (Reinke) Krenzke, both of whom were natives of Pommern, Germany. In early life they crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became residents of Racine about 1868 or 1869, their marriage being celebrated in this city. The father is a wagon maker by trade, but during the past thirty years has been engaged in farming near Racine, conducting his place now … Read more

Biography of B. H. Meyers

B. H. Meyers, president and treasurer of the B. H. Meyers Company, has the oldest and largest business in monument and tile work in Racine, the steady development of his trade bringing him a substantial income which places him among the representative business men of the city and one whose interests contribute to public prosperity as well as to individual success. He was born in McHenry, Illinois, a son of Theodore and Susan Meyers, both of whom were natives of Germany. After coming to the new world they remained residents of Illinois until called to their final rest. B. H. … 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 Dennis E. Fitzgerald

Dennis E. Fitzgerald, who on the 1st of May, 1912, was made city sealer of weights and measures and has continued in this position through the intervening years, was born in Racine, May 1, 1881, a son of Morris and Mary (Green) Fitzgerald, both of whom were natives of Ireland. As young people, they came to the United States and were married at Fall River, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil war the father served the Union cause as a member of the navy. In 1880 he came to Racine, where he engaged in business as a contractor in … Read more

Biography of George T. Caystile

George T. Caystile, who has been treasurer and manager of the Carroll Coal Company since its organization in 1910, was born in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, December 13, 1868, a son of Robert and Hannah (Nield) Caystile. The father was a native of the Isle of Man and in his boyhood was brought to the United States, after which he learned and followed the moulder’s trade. At an early period in the development of Racine he removed westward to this city. He married Hannah Nield, a daughter of James Nield, who was one of the first meat packers of Wisconsin and … 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 John F. Kovar

John F. Kovar, a well known farmer living on section 27, Caledonia Township, was born January 26, 1877, in the Township in which he still resides, his parents being Frank and Mary (Zachar) Kovar. The father was born in Austria in 1849 and in that country his parents spent their entire lives, but in 1866, when a youth of seventeen years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Racine, where he was employed in a harness store, having previously learned the harness maker’s trade in his native country. He afterward worked on farms as well as … Read more

Biography of William H. Liegler

William H. Liegler engages in the plumbing business in Racine, his native city, and was born July 19th, 1877, son of Frank and Nettie (Frich) Liegler, both of whom were born in Bohemia near Prague. The father came to the United States when about. six or seven years of age and established his home in Racine. Some years afterward he engaged in the hardware business in which he continued for many years but about seven years ago retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest. Both he and his wife are residents of Racine. In this city William H. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Larkin

William H. Larkin, who dates his residence in Racine from 1914, is now a partner in the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, in which undertaking he is associated with William P. Heckel. He was born in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. April 5. 1890, and obtained his early education in the public schools there, after which he entered the Lewis Institute of Chicago and was graduated in 1909 on the completion of a course in electrical engineering. He received mechanical training also and for two years was employed by the American Can Company of Chicago at their factory in Maywood. … Read more

Biography of R. M. Walker

R. M. Walker resides upon a farm on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, where he has made his home continually since 1878. All the buildings have been erected by him, all the trees planted by him and the work of improvement has been carried steadily forward, indicative of his progressive spirit. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family that has been identified with the growth of Racine County for eighty-one years. Mr. Walker was born in Byron, New York, June 7, 1836, a son of Nelson A. and Lucinda Walker, the former removing to the west in … Read more

Biography of John William Ruggaber

John William Ruggaber, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Racine Electric Company, was born on the 26th of July, 1882, in the city of Racine, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Brick) Ruggaber, the former a native of Ottawa, Illinois, while the latter was also born in Racine. The Ruggaber family was early established in this section of the state and as the name indicates they come of German ancestry. The father, Joseph Ruggaber, died in the year 1894, but the mother still survives. They had a family of four sons: Frank, John W., Ed and Albert, all of whom … Read more

Biography of John H. Smith

John H. Smith, a farmer of Kansasville, is one of the native sons of the County, his birth having occurred in Dover Township, March 14, 1851. His parents, William and Mary (Welsh) Smith, were natives of England and Ireland, respectively, the former born June 17, 1824, and the latter in 1826. They were married in Racine County, but the parents of neither ever came to America. It was in 1842 that William Smith crossed the Atlantic and established his home in Dover Township, Racine County, after remaining for a short time in the east and for a brief period in … Read more

Biography of James Murphy

James Murphy is now living retired in Racine but for many years actively engaged in business as a hardware merchant. He has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he makes his home. His birth having here occurred September 1, 1852. His parents were John and Nary S. (Atkey) Murphy, the former a native of County Mayo, Ireland, while the latter was born on the Isle of Wight. They were married in Rome, Italy, and the mother, who had formerly been an Episcopalian, became a convert to the Catholic faith in Rome. In 1848 they arrived in Racine … Read more

Biography of Hon. Walter S. Goodland

After four years’ service as chief executive of Racine, Hon. Walter S. Goodland retired from the mayoralty as he had entered the office-with the confidence and good will of the great majority of citizens, and upon the city’s history left the record of various substantial improvements which were made under his administration-improvements along the lines of both reform and progress. He has been active in the fields of both law and journalism and at the present writing is owner of the Times-Call of Racine, in which city he has made his home since March, 1899. He was born in Sharon, … Read more

Biography of Abraham Storle

Among the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Norway Township is Abraham Storle, who owns and operates a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and seventeen acres on section 32. He was born in that Township August 10, 1857, and is a son of Ole and Anna Storle, both natives of Norway, though they were married after coming to the United States, in Racine County, Wisconsin. The father was born in 1805 and lived to a ripe old age, passing away in 1891. It was in 1844 that he became a resident of this County and for a … Read more

Biography of C. E. Thorkelson

C. E. Thorkelson, deputy health officer of Racine, was called to this position on the 1st of June, 1914, and in the intervening period has made a most excellent record by his devotion to the interests of the city which come under his control and supervision. Racine numbers him among her native sons who are of Norwegian lineage and who possess the sterling characteristics of the people who have come to us from the land of the midnight sun. He was born in this city February 25, 1885, a son of Mathias and Mary (Eggers) Thorkelson, both of whom were … 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 Rev. Theodore B. Meyer

Rev. Theodore B. Meyer, pastor of St. Mary’s church at Racine, has done effective work among the Catholic families of this locality since October, 1896, and his labors have been most effective in advancing the growth of the parish. He is a native son of Racine County, his birth having occurred in Caledonia, February 13, 1853. The family name, however, indicates his German lineage. His grandfather was a native of Kaltenborn, Germany, where he engaged in farming and mining, his death resulting from a mine accident. He married a Miss Jungmann and their large family included Peter Meyer, who was … Read more

Biography of William Dwight Thompson

William Dwight Thompson, senior partner in the firm of Thompson, Meyers & Kearney, engaged in the general practice of law at Racine, was born at Memphis, Tennessee, November 7, 1867, a son of Seymour D. and Lucy Augusta (Jennison) Thompson. The former was born in Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois, and was a son of Seymour Thompson of New York State, who became an Illinois pioneer. The ancestry on both sides dates back to about 1640, when representatives of both families emigrated from England, and members of both families served in the Revolutionary war. In the early ’50s there occurred … Read more