Racine County WI

Biography of Chris Schroeder

Chris Schroeder, who upon the foundation of broad, practical experience in agriculture has built his life work-that of disseminating useful knowledge concerning improved methods of farming and live stock breeding-is now live stock editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, published at Racine. He was born in Kewaunee, this state, December 31, 1880, a son of Frederick C. and Margaret (Hoeltz) Schroeder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1842 and with his parents came to the United States in 1853, the family home being established in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where they followed the occupation of farming. … Read more

Biography of Nicholas F. Reichert

Nicholas F. Reichert was a substantial, enterprising and progressive business man whose residence in Racine dated from the pioneer period. He was a native son of the city, born April 24, 1854, a son of Frederick Reichert, one of the pioneer residents. who arrived in Racine in 1840 and became identified with the agricultural development of the district. The son was educated in the schools of his home locality and was reared to the occupation of an agriculturist, having the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and development of the … Read more

Biography of Edward Henry Skewes

Edward Henry Skewes is a representative of one of the old families of Racine County and has passed his entire life here, as his birth occurred in Yorkville Township. He is now the owner of one hundred and forty acres in that Township and is there engaged in the dairy business, shipping milk to Chicago and likewise raising cabbage, which he also disposes of in the city markets. His natal day was the 12th of May, 1869, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, the former born in 1838 and the latter … Read more

Biography of Lorenzo Janes

Lorenzo Janes was a prominent figure in that notable group of sterling men from New England and New York who pioneered Racine, city and County, and gave to the settlements, the villages and the cities a tone and character that have survived the lapse of three-fourths of a century of time, as well as the influence of the flood of alien peoples that has poured into this section during the last forty years. Mr. Janes was born in Washington County, Vermont, September 18, 1801. He married in Albany, New York, and practiced law and became a judge there before moving … Read more

Biography of James D. Black

James D. Black, deceased, was for many years a resident of Racine and such were his sterling qualities that he enjoyed the friendship and high regard of many with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Winchester, Virginia, February 14, 1844, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Stipe) Black. The father was a son of a soldier of the War of 1812 and was of Scotch descent. He learned the blacksmith’s trade and in June, 1844, he removed with his family to Marseilles, Illinois, where he lived for about a year and then went to Ogle … Read more

Biography of John A. Beecher

John A. Beecher, a prominent and influential citizen of Norway Township who owns and operates a farm on section 26, was born in that Township March 12, 1883, his parents being Jacob and Rachel (Dalzell) Beecher. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this County, where his father was born in 1843. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany and on coming to America first located in New York State. At a very early day in the development of this County he came west and took up government land here, continuing to reside thereon … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rudolf M. Sorensen

Rudolf M. Sorensen, conducting a large and profitable moving and storage business, with warehouse at No. 516 Center street in Racine, was born in Denmark, August 30, 1886, a son of Rasmus and Mary Sorensen, who came to the United States nine years ago and are now living in Racine. Rudolf M. Sorensen was reared and educated in Denmark and there learned the butcher’s trade, at which he worked in his native country until he came to this city. Following his arrival here he again followed the butchering business for three years, after which he became associated with the moving … Read more

Biography of George H. Laughton

Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose and such was the case when George H. Laughton was called to his final rest. He had for a number of years been active in the management of the Chicago Rubber Clothing Company, of which he was one of the founders, and thus he instituted an important productive industry of Racine. He was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, November 20, 1845, a son of George R. and Mildred (Durley) Laughton, the former a native of London. England, while the latter was born in Maryland. They became early … Read more

Biography of Francis George Klein

It is seldom that one of eighty-three years is found active in business life, but such is the record of Francis George Klein, who still gives supervision to his commercial and manufacturing interests, his sons, however, being his active associates and assistants in the conduct of the interests which are carried on under the name of the F. G. Klein Company at Burlington. A native of France, he was born in St. John, Alsace, February 5, 1833, a son of Francis and Mary Ann (Wagner) Klein, the former born at Eckerzweilver and the latter at St. John, in Alsace. The … Read more

Biography of Clinton Skewes

Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine County, Wisconsin. The father … Read more

Biography of Francis M. Perkins

Francis M. Perkins, president of the Perkins Trust Company of Lawrence, had been a prominent factor in financial and business affairs of that city and of the state at large for more than forty years. He was the first of his family to come to Kansas. Mr. Perkins was born in Racine County, Wisconsin, on a farm June 21, 1846. His parents were Otis Goodspeed and Julia Ann (Bender) Perkins. His father was a descendant of John W. Perkins of Ipswich, Massachusetts, who came to Massachusetts Colony in 1631 and was originally from Ufton Court, the large family estate of … Read more

Biography of Jabez Spriggs

Jabez Spriggs, a farmer residing near Kansasville, represents one of the old families of the County. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, April 26, 1838, a son of John and Mary (Nursey) Spriggs, who were likewise natives of the same country, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1801. Their respective parents never left that country, but some years after their marriage the parents of Jabez Spriggs sailed for the new world, arriving on American shores in 1848. Continuing their journey into the interior of the country, they settled at Burlington, Wisconsin, where they remained for a year … 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 Frederick J. Hansche

That Frederick J. Hansche was an industrious and enterprising business man is indicated in the, fact that at the time of his death he was the owner of an excellent property of one hundred and twelve acres, although when he first came to Racine County he had to earn his living by working as a farm hand. He was born in Germany on the 17th of October, 1837, and in that country acquired a common school education. About 1865 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and for a year thereafter was a resident of Cincinnati. He then came … 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 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 Herbert Van Bree

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 that country, but immediately after their marriage crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Wisconsin, settling at Barton. The father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for the support of his family, but he and his wife … 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 F. Barndt

Charles F. Barndt is considered a valuable addition to the business circles of Racine, with which he became identified in October, 1913, when he removed to this city and entered into active trade relations here as the vice president and factory manager of the Racine Manufacturing Company. He was born in a suburb of Philadelphia on the 6th of April, 1876, a son of John G. and Annie M. (Clymer) Barndt. The father was a carriage builder who for many years was connected with the business but is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight years. He has long … 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