Racine County WI

Biography of Robert G. Nelson

Robert G. Nelson, active in the field of real estate, insurance and loans in Racine, was born in this city September 14, 1877, a son of Simon N. and Sophia (Weaver) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Christiania, Norway. When young they came to the United States and were married in Chicago, but in the early ’70s removed to Racine. The father was a sailor and became the owner of several boats. He commanded the Caledonia as its captain and was also captain of the I. L. Shanks, in which he owned a half interest. His entire life was … Read more

Biography of John C. Wagner

John C. Wagner is proprietor of the Wagner Hotel of Racine, in connection with which he conducts what is known as the best restaurant of the city. He was born March 27, 1858, in Racine, a son of Jacob and Mary (Gracely) Wagner, the former a native of Prussia and the latter of Württemberg, Germany. In the early ’40s they arrived in Racine and were married in this city. The father was a tanner by trade and long followed that line of business. After acquiring a public school education John C. Wagner learned the wire-weaver’s trade, to which he devoted … Read more

Biography of George Alvin Uebele

George Alvin Uebele, cashier of the Bank of Burlington, exemplifies in his business career that thoroughness and efficiency which have always characterized the institution which he represents, making it one of the strong financial centers of southeastern Wisconsin. His entire life has been spent in this section of the state, his birth having occurred at Wheatland, Kenosha County, February 25, 1874. His father, Frederick Uebele, a native of Germany, came to America in the early ’50s and settled in Wheatland, near Slades Corners. He was but eight years of age when his parents died and in 1848 the children of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Henry Eichhorn

Eichhorn, Charles Henry; banker; born, Racine, Wis., Jan. 17, 1859; son of Jacob and Clara Elizabeth Behring Eichhorn; educated, Cleveland public schools, graduated from West High, in 1879; married, Cleveland, June 27, 1894, Lulu J. Challacombe; one son, 9 years old; taught school Delray, Mich., 1879 to 1882; Cleveland public schools. 1882-1886; sec ‘y to supt. of Schools. 1886-1892; sec’y The Brooklyn Building & Loan Ass’n Co., 1892 to present date; cashier The State Banking & Trust Co.; director The Masonic Temple Ass’n; 33rd° Mason; Past Grand Commander, Knight Templars of Ohio; 1st Lieut. Commander Lake Erie Consistory, S. P. … Read more

Biography of Henry J. Herzog

Henry J. Herzog met with success as a farmer and is now living retired upon his well improved place on section 32, ‘Mount Pleasant Township. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 5, 1848, a son of John Adam and Mary (Eiler) Herzog, who in 1849 brought their family to Racine, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in carpentering and contracting until 1859. In that year he purchased one hundred and five acres of land in Mount Pleasant Township, which he cultivated until his death in 1891. He had survived his wife for twenty years, her demise occurring in 1871. Both … Read more

Biography of Christmas E. Evans, D. V. S.

The veterinary profession in Racine finds a worthy representative in Dr. Christmas E. Evans, whose ability to successfully administer remedial agencies is manifest in the excellent results which have attended him in general practice. He was born in Utica, New York, November 2. 1860, and is a son of Evan R. and Margaret (Roberts) Evans, who came to Racine in 1874. The father was a veterinary surgeon and continued in active practice in Racine until July, 1908, when his labors were terminated by death. He had for four years survived his wife, who passed away in 1904. Dr. C. E. … Read more

Biography of William Kittinger

The enterprising methods of William Kittinger, a representative agriculturist of Caledonia Township, are indicated in the fact that he had nine acres of the best wheat raised in Racine County in 1916. His is a well improved farm, supplied with all modern equipments to facilitate the work and render farm life comfortable and attractive. He came to Wisconsin from New York, his birth having occurred in Niagara County, about ten miles east of Niagara Falls, on the 10th of December, 1847, his parents being Isaac and Priscilla (Burnette) Kittinger. The father was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, April 7, 1818, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. M. Jones

J. M. Jones, president, treasurer and general manager of the Racine Tool & Machine Company, is a native of Indiana and his public school education was supplemented by study in Western College at Toledo, Iowa. When a young man he taught school and afterward turned his attention to general merchandising near Rock Island, Illinois, while subsequently he became connected with the wholesale shoe business in Chicago. He afterward engaged in the banking business in Chicago and in 1900 came to Racine but went back and forth from Chicago each day. In December, 1910, he purchased the business which is now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. Earl Trauger

W. Earl Trauger, conducting a jewelry business in Racine, was born in Morrison, Illinois, January 31, 1878. a son of Charles and Alta (Ewing) Trauger, the former a cigar manufacturer. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof of his native city, W. Earl Trauger mastered the branches of learning taught in the graded and high schools and afterward took up the trade of a jeweler at Morrison, while subsequently he worked in the same line in Chicago. His residence in Racine dates from 1906, in which year he entered the employ of F. P. Beswick and in that … Read more

Biography of Hon. T. W. Thiesen

Hon. T. W. Thiesen, Racine’s popular mayor and one of its most efficient and progressive business men, now president of the Red Cross Drug Company, was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 19, 1867, a son of Thies and Emma (Karsten) Thiesen. He began to earn his living when but six years of age as a bootblack and newsboy and afterward became a butcher’s apprentice. On the 18th of June, 1884, when a youth of sixteen years, he left Germany and on the 4th of July, 1884, arrived in Racine. Here he secured employment in the drug store of Charles Giesler, … Read more

Biography of Lillian Watts

Miss Lillian Watts, the most prominent figure in musical circles in Racine and widely known in this connection elsewhere, is identified with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, the Marquette Conservatory of Music, and is also director of music in the public schools of Racine. She is a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. and a daughter of Ebenezer and Eleanor (Jones) Watts, both of ‘whom were natives of Wales, and the father came of Scotch-Welsh parentage, in early manhood Ebenezer Watts came to the United States and in 1850 went to California, remaining upon the Pacific coast for five years, after which … Read more

Biography of Thomas Henry Acklam

Thomas Henry Acklam, who has been a lifelong resident of Racine County, now makes his home on section 35, Mount Pleasant Township, and since 1S92 has resided upon this place, which comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres. Its improvements are all the work of his hands and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. From early boyhood his attention has been given to the work of the fields. He was born in Racine, August 29, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Harriett (Bean) Acklam. In his youthful days he attended the common schools and … Read more

Biography of John Stoffel

A notable business record is that of John Stoffel, who for forty-one years has been at the head of a cigar factory in Racine and today has the largest establishment of the kind in the city. His commercial career is as an open book which all may read. His trade has developed along legitimate lines of business and his success has been built upon honorable methods and the excellence of the product turned out by the factory. Mr. Stoffel was born in Racine, April 10, 1855, a son of Nicholas J. and Juliana Maria (Schmidt) Stoffel, born respectively in Neierkirch … Read more

Biography of Edwin B. Skewes

Edwin B. Skewes, son of Samuel and Ruth Bottomley Skewes, was born January 30, 1858, at Grovean Farm, Racine County. Samuel Skewes, with his first wife, Catherine Lugg Skewes, came to this country from Cornwall, England, in 1842, and settled on what is now known as Grovean Farm. To them were born four children: Samuel, who throughout his life was engaged in farming; Sarah, who died when about twelve years old; Margret, who died in young womanhood; and George, who was widely known and highly honored throughout Racine and the County as an educator and banker. Some years after the … Read more

Biography of Clarence H. Wright

Clarence H. Wright, the secretary, treasurer and manager of the Racine Auto Tire Company, was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, June 14, 1883, a son of J. H. Wright, who, in 1893, removed with his family to Racine and became general superintendent of the Fish Brothers Wagon Factory, which position of responsibility he acceptably filled for sixteen years. He then resigned and built a large wagon manufacturing plant in Canada and in March, 1915, he again became identified with the business interests of Racine as vice president of the Racine Auto Tire Company. After leaving the high school, in … Read more

Biography of Ellis J. Gittins

Ellis J. Gittins, vice president of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, is a representative of that class of men whose life histories indicate the opportunities that are before the ambitious, energetic American youth. Starting upon his business career in a humble connection with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, through the steps of an orderly progression he has advanced until he occupies the second position in the great corporation, with control over its sales. Mr. Gittins was born in Racine County, December 13. 1867, a son of Ellis and Jane (Gittins) Gittins, both of whom were natives … Read more

Biography of J. A. Schmitz

J. A. Schmitz, secretary and treasurer of the Arnold Electric Company, was born in Racine, March 9, 1862, a son of Nicholas Schmitz, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, George C. Schmitz. The educational opportunities afforded J. A. Schmitz were those to he obtained in the public and parochial schools of Racine and upon attaining his majority he went, in 1883, to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he accepted a position and also pursued a course in a business college. Later he opened a real estate office in that city and after … Read more

Biography of Roy A. Spencer

Roy A. Spencer, president of the Western Printing & Lithographing Company, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Racine County, November 7, 1881, a son of William D. and Louise (De Groat) Spencer, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Mount Pleasant Township, this County, being a representative of one of its old families. Her parents, Albert and Abbie Jane De Groat, arrived in this County from Connecticut about 1831, when civilization had scarcely extended her borders over the district. In fact it seemed that the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun. … 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 Henry C. Wiegand

Henry C. Wiegand is today one of the oldest jewelry merchants in Racine in years of connection with the trade, having established his store about 1896. Throughout the intervening period the establishment has largely set the standard for activity in this line in the city, for he carries a large and attractive stock and his business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Born in Racine on the 1st of May, 1872, he is a son of Conrad and Anna (Haas) Wiegand, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world, … Read more