Racine County WI

Biographical Sketch of Eugene Walter Leach

Eugene Walter Leach, engaged in the life insurance business at Racine since 1894 as agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company and not unknown in literary circles, was born in Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. September 15. 1857, a son of George W. and Deborah B. (White) Leach. The father was born in Burke. Vermont, and in 1854 made his way to Racine, whence in 1856 he removed to Minnesota, but in 1859 he returned to Racine, where he resided until his death in 1899. He was a railway car builder and was employed continuously for thirty-six years by the 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 Frank Alshuler

Frank Alshuler, a partner in one of the largest men’s furnishing goods stores not only of Racine but of the state, maintains a foremost position in trade circles by reason of his enterprising spirit that keeps him in touch with advanced commercial methods and modern business ideas. He was born in Covington, Indiana, March 11, 1859, a son of Jacob and Jeannette Alshuler, both of whom were natives of Germany but in early life came to the United States. Making his way to Indiana, the father was for a long period engaged in merchandising in Covington, and in that city … Read more

Biography of Frederick J. Osius

“Opportunity knocks but once” and Frederick J. Osius has never waited for the second knock but has improved every chance that has come. Moreover, he possesses the energy and tenacity to successfully complete what he undertakes and his work in several respects is notable. America leads the world in invention. Wherever work has been extensively carried on by hand, man’s ingenuity has set to work to contrive labor-saving devices whereby the output could be increased at a minimum expenditure of time and material. ft is this inventive genius, combined with mechanical and technical skill and fostered by a laudable ambition, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry C. Miller

In pioneer times the Miller family, of which Henry C. Miller is a representative. was established in Racine and from that date to the present the name has figured prominently in connection with the development of the city’s manufacturing interests. Henry C. Miller, now one of the partners and officers in the J. Miller Company. has been identified with the shoe manufacturing business from the age of seventeen years. He was born in Racine, August 27, 1862, and supplemented his public school course by study in the McMynn Academy. When seventeen years of age he entered his father’s shoe manufacturing … Read more

Biography of Albert Hanson

Albert Hanson, a representative farmer of Norway Township, residing on section 31, was born in that Township October 19, 1863, his parents being Ole and Rosline (Thompson) Hanson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His paternal grandfather, Hans Olson, came from that country at an early day and settled in Racine County, Wisconsin, developing and improving a farm in Dover Township. The maternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in Norway. The father, Ole Hanson, was born in 1835 and was only eleven years of age when he crossed the Atlantic in 1846 and became a resident … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Brehm

Joseph B. Brehm, vice president of the Brehm Brothers Company, was born in Burlington. April 9. 1879, and acquired his education in the parochial schools. Throughout his business career he has been connected with the enterprise which now claims his attention, for when his textbooks were put aside he began assisting his father, and in 1909, when the business was incorporated under the style of the Brehm Brothers Company, he became one of the stockholders and after his father’s death he was elected vice president and still continues in that capacity. Mr. Brehm is a member of the Roman Catholic … Read more

Biography of David H. Flett

David H. Flett, attorney at law, was born at Kirkwell, Scotland, September 12, 1846, and came with his parents to Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in September, 1855. His early education was acquired in the district schools, after which he attended the Racine high school for two terms, and in 1875 he was graduated at the Oberlin (Ohio) College, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. That same year he was elected superintendent of schools for Kenosha County and held the office until 1877. He was then principle of the high school at Elkhorn, Wisconsin, until 1879, and in 1880 graduated in … Read more

Biography of Edward H. Wadewitz

Edward H. Wadewitz, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company, is prominent among the alert, enterprising and successful business men of Racine, whose efforts have been a substantial factor in the city’s growth and prosperity as well as in individual success. Honored and respected by all, he occupies an enviable position, not only by reason of the success to which he has attained, but also owing to the straightforward business methods which he has ever followed. In the conduct of his interests he has displayed marked initiative, as well as executive force. A native of … 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 F. B. Swingle

F. B. Swingle, who since 1912 has been associate editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, although he began writing for publication long prior to that date, was born in Rock County, Wisconsin, March 8, 1876, a son of Warren W. and Frankie (Bell) Swingle. The parents were also natives of Rock County and the mother was a daughter of Adam Bell, one of the early pioneer settlers of the state, who on removing westward from New York in 1838, passed through Racine and established his home in Rock County, having made the trip to Racine by water, and farther west with … Read more

Biography of James H. Crane

James H. Crane, son of Augustus B. Crane, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, July 7, 1848, and between the ages of six and seventeen years attended the public schools. He afterward became a pupil in Rochester, where he continued his studies for a year and a half, and for one term he was a student in the high school at Racine. He then concentrated his energies upon farm work and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he went to Chicago, where he spent two years engaged in the bakery business. On the expiration … 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 John F. Moyle

John F. Moyle, secretary of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company and a resident of Yorkville, has long been actively and successfully identified with the business interests of his locality and well deserved success has crowned his efforts. His plans are well defined and carefully executed and the wise management which he displays in the conduct of his business affairs has brought financial success. He was born July 28, 1841, in Cornwall, England, his parents being Thomas and Susan (Foxwell) Moyle, who are also of Cornish birth and lineage. For several generations the male members of the Moyle family had been … Read more

Biography of A. Cary Judd

A. Cary Judd, who has occupied various public offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, has a most creditable record. He was born in Frankfort, New York, April 16, 1850, a son of George. B. and Margaret Ann (Cary) Judd, the former a native of Connecticut, born March 26, 1801, and the latter born in New York hi 1806. The father came to Racine in 1856 in search of a favorable location, for he desired to become identified with the growing middle west. In March, 1857, he brought his family to Racine and entered upon … Read more

Biography of Leo F. Miller Jr.

Leo F. Miller. Jr., president of the Commercial Press Company, was born in Racine on the 13th of March. 1885, and is one of the enterprising and progressive young business men in this city, alert and energetic and watchful of all opportunities pointing toward further prosperity. He is a brother of Frank H. Miller and a son of Leo F. and Theresa Miller, Sr., mentioned in connection with his brother’s sketch on another page of this work. The family was of the Catholic faith and therefore he was sent to St. Joseph’s parochial school, wherein he acquired his education. Afterward … Read more

Biography of P. H. Adland

An excellent farm property of one hundred and eighty-five acres, splendidly improved, pays tribute to P. H. Adland, who is the owner thereof. For many years he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits but is now largely living retired, receiving an excellent income from his holdings. His parents were Thomas and Julia (Nelson) Adland, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father was born near Bergen, August 12, 1831, a son of Mons K. and Ellen (Thompson) Adland. Mons K. Adland was born and reared in Bergen, where he obtained a public school education, and although he became familiar … Read more

Biography of John S. Hart

John S. Hart, secretary and treasurer of the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company, was born January 16, 1885, and was the youngest of the three sons of Sands M. and Stella. M. Hart. The eldest brother, Lucius S. Hart, mentioned elsewhere, was accidentally shot while out hunting in California. The second brother, Harold H. Hart, is the president of the Racine Woolen Manufacturing Company. On another page of this work is given a complete history of both the paternal and maternal ancestry. After leaving the high school John S. Hart entered Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1907. He … 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 John O. Jones

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 Owen and Ann (Jones) Jones, both representatives of old families that have lived in that section of Wales for hundreds of years. The family on one side was farmers and on the other was granite quarrymen. The parents of John O. Jones spent their entire … Read more