Racine County WI

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 William M. Foster

Among the excellent and well equipped printing establishments of Racine is that owned and conducted by William M. Foster under the name of the Lakeside Printing Company. He established the business in 1893 and during the intervening period of twenty-three years has built up a large and gratifying trade, while at all times he has kept his establishment as an exponent of the best in the printing business, his motto being “Printing as you want it, when you want it.” Mr. Foster was born in Walworth County, Wisconsin, August 15, 1862, and is a son of Leonard M. and Martha … Read more

Biography of Rev. Leo F. Gabriels

Rev. Leo F. Gabriels, pastor in charge of St. Louis’ Catholic church of Caledonia Township, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a son of John P. and Mary (Lush) Gabriels, both natives of Prussia. When young people they came to the new world, settling in Milwaukee, and were there married in St. Joseph’s Catholic church. The father was a cooper by trade and in his younger days had a business of his own and employed a number of people, but afterward worked at his trade in the employ of others. He was born in 1848 and passed away in 1911, while … Read more

Biography of W. H. Brandow

W. H. Brandow is a member of the firm of Moers & Brandow, conducting a painting contracting business in Racine. Michigan numbers him one of her native sons, his birth having occurred in Pontiac, that state, on the 2d of January, 1858, his parents being Frederick and Lucy (Crandall) Brandow, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Kenosha. Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Kenosha County where he served as sheriff in an early day. It was in the year 1864 that Frederick Brandow left Michigan and removed with his family to … Read more

Biography of Walter Silas Haven, M. D.

Dr. Walter Silas Haven, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Racine, is a medical graduate of the Northwestern University and after two years’ hospital experience he came to this city, where he has since successfully followed his profession. He was born in Racine County, February 9, 1862, and is a son of George Silas and Jane (Jones) Haven, the former a native of Cheltenham, Ontario, and the latter of Caernarvonshire, Wales. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Haven, was also a native of England and was a veteran of the war with Napoleon, serving as surgeon in the English … Read more

Biography of Samuel Barnum Walker

Samuel Barnum Walker, who is engaged in general farming on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, has an excellent tract of land and the soil, naturally rich and productive, readily responds to the care and labor bestowed upon it. For a long period he has made dairying an important feature of his business and in this connection has become widely known. He was born in Leavittsburg, Trumbull County, Ohio, June 20, 1861, a son of John B. and Ellen (Whiteley) Walker, both of whom were natives of England. They came to the United States in 1842 and settled at Elgin, Illinois, … Read more

Biography of P. H. Connolly

P. H. Connolly, who has the second longest record of continuous service of all the city engineers of Wisconsin, came to his present office in 1899 and has remained the incumbent through the intervening period, now covering seventeen years. He was born in Rochester, New York. April 24, 1863, and is a son of Patrick and Eliza (Beaumont) Connolly. The father is a native of County Westmeath, Ireland, while the mother’s birth occurred in Centerville, Michigan. The father was a wagon maker by trade and came to Racine in 1863. In 1861 he moved his family to Racine. He has … 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 Orlando Canfield Munroe

Many years have come and gone since Orlando Canfield Munroe was called to his final rest, but the result of his labors is still manifest, as he was for many years a most progressive and energetic agriculturist and succeeded in transforming a large tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township into rich and productive fields. He was born in Bennington, Vermont. December 12, 1818, and was in the seventieth year of his age when he passed away in this County on the 9th of June, 1888. He had obtained a common school education in the east and in 1845 came … Read more

Biography of Henry F. Moers

Henry F. Moers is the senior partner of the Moers-Brandow Company, dealers in paints and wall paper and contractors in painting and decorating. In this connection they are widely known, for their work is of an important character, representing some of the finest specimens of decorative art in this section of the state. Increasing ability has brought Mr. Moers to the creditable and enviable position which he now occupies. He was born in Freeport, Illinois, October 31, 1868, and is a son of Henry and Louisa (Meyer) Moers, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United … 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 Christian Erbe

The family name indicates the German nativity of Christian Erbe, who displays in his business career many of the sterling characteristics which mark the efficiency of the Teuton race. He was born in Saxony, Germany, January 29, 1839, a son of George and Catherine (Ungerecht) Erbe, who were also natives of Saxony. The ancestry is traced back to Christian Erbe, the great-grandfather. The grandfather was John Erbe, who died in Germany when his son George was but fourteen years of age. One of the family, Sebastian Erbe, served in the Revolutionary war, on the English side, and was taken prisoner … Read more

Biography of Hon. J. H. Kamper

Hon. J. H. Kamper, who is carrying on general agricultural pursuits near North Cape, was born in Denmark, December 17, 1857, a son of Peter H. and Christina (Rasmussen) Kamper. The father was born in Denmark in 1822 and died in the year 1896, while the mother, whose birth occurred in 1820, passed away in 1894. They were married in Denmark and in 1866 became residents of Yorkville Township, Racine County, where Mr. Kamper rented land. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Raymond Township, a tract of fifty acres, which he carefully and successfully cultivated. He was a member of … Read more

Biography of W. W. Kradwell

W. W. Kradwell, secretary and general manager of the Kradwell Drug Company of Racine, is bending his energies to the successful direction of a business that is growing steadily in volume and importance and takes rank with the chief commercial enterprises of this city. He was born in 1875, a native of Boscobel, Wisconsin, although of Austrian and Swiss lineage. His paternal grandfather, Albert Kradwell, was a native of Austria, while his maternal grandfather. Benjamin Weibel was born in Switzerland. After following farming for many years in Austria the former became a resident of Grant County, Wisconsin, following the arrival … Read more

Biography of Albert M. Brehm

Albert M. Brehm, secretary and treasurer of the Brehm Brothers Company, was born in Burlington in 1874 and secured his education in the parochial schools, in the Burlington high school and in the Valparaiso (Ind.) Business College. He assisted his father in business until 1893 and then entered the employ of the Bank of Burlington, in which he continued for over six years, when failing health obliged him to make a change. In 1899 he again became associated with his father in business under the firm style of B. Brehm & Sons and took charge of the National Express business, … Read more

Biography of Lucius H. Perkins

Lucius H. Perkins, who resided at Lawrence from 1877 until his accidental death on June 1, 1907, contributed much more to the life of Kansas than the achievements of an able lawyer, great as those were and much as they distinguished him in professional circles. By his varied attainments and accomplishments, by his interest in literature and the broader humanities, he singularly enriched the thought and public opinions of his times. In a generation when the thoughts and energies of the people of Kansas were necessarily concentrated upon the fundamental problems of existence and constructive business, he exemplified that better … Read more

Biography of Lucius S. Blake

Upon the pioneer history of Racine is written the name of Lucius S. Blake, a name that is closely associated with its annals and one that was ever synonymous with progress and improvement. He was descended from New England ancestry, the line being traced back through successive generations to Bradbury Blake, a native of New Hampshire, who married Sarah Hilton and removed to Vermont where their son, Captain Levi Blake, was born and reared. He removed to Erie County, New York, then the far west, and in that locality wedded Mary Sanford, a native of the Empire state. At the … 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 John P. Barry

On the 1st of January, 1915, John P. Barry assumed the duties of the office of register of deeds and at the same time he is engaged in the abstract business in Racine, with which he has long been connected. He was born in Newton, Iowa, August 31, 1881, a son of David T. and Katherine (Flynn) Barry, the former a native of Westmoreland, Virginia, while the latter was born in Ireland. They were married in Chicago and in the year 1872 became residents of Iowa. The father’s business was that of railroading for some years and afterward he became … Read more

Biography of Stiles Moe

Among the most highly esteemed and honored residents of Union Grove is Stiles Moe, who owns a general store and who still manages his business affairs although he has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. His birth occurred in Lorain County, Ohio, on the 29th of January, 1834, and he is a son of Edwin and Mehetabel (Case) Moe. The family immigrated to America from the north of France prior to the Revolutionary war, having been driven from their native land by religious persecution. Isaac Moe, the great-grandfather, who was born in Plattsburg, New York, served as a … Read more