Racine County WI Genealogy – Page 9 of 22

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 Frank L. Mitchell

In taking up the personal history of Frank L. Mitchell it is unnecessary to tell to Racine and her people the place that he occupies, for his position has been established by the consensus of public opinion, and in considering his career one is led to the reflection that opportunities slip away from the sluggard, tauntingly play before the dreamer, but surrender to the individual with high purpose, undaunted courage and indefatigable determination. It is through the wise use of his opportunities that Frank L. Mitchell has reached the prominent position which he now fills. Born in Kenosha on the … 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

Biography of James Callen

James Callen, who is conducting a mercantile establishment and saloon in Caledonia, was born September 15, 1862, in the Township where he now resides, his parents being James and Mary (Duffy) Callen. The paternal grandfather was Nicholas Callen. who in 1849 arrived in Caledonia Township, Racine County, and died at the home of his son. The maternal grandfather, Patrick Duffy, died in Ireland. James Callen, Sr., was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1833, and came to America in 1849, when a youth of sixteen years. He worked on different farms for a time, during which period he carefully saved … 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

Biography of Arthur Ehrlich

Arthur Ehrlich, whose prominence in real estate circles is indicated by the fact that he is now serving for the second term as president of the Racine real estate board. came to this city in 1895 and a decade later turned his attention to the real estate business, in which connection he has contributed much to the substantial expansion, improvement and upbuilding of the city. He was born in the province of Pomerania, Prussia, July 24, 1867, and attended a military school of that country. He was a youth of nineteen years when he crossed the Atlantic to America in … Read more

Biography of William C. Hood

William C. Hood, who since 1898 has been manager for the American Seating Company at Racine, was born in this city April 21, 1860, a son of Samuel and Alice (Coy) Hood. The father was a son of Thomas Hood, who came from New York to Racine in 1836, when the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun in this section of the state. He secured government land and became one of the pioneer settlers of the district. Hood’s creek was named in his honor. His son, Samuel Hood, engaged in farming to the age of twenty-one years … 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 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 L. W. Smith

L. W. Smith, who, in the conduct of a real estate, loan and insurance business has devoted considerable attention to building and selling of homes and has thus contributed in notable measure to the development of the southwestern section of Racine, was born in this city December 8, 1888, a son of Henry L. and Mary Ann (Fennell) Smith, the former a native of New York and the latter of Trowbridge, England. The mother was a daughter of John and Martha Fennell, who came to Racine in 1879, her father, became foreman of the molding department of the J. L … Read more

Biography of Elisha Lewis

Elisha Lewis, who has a beautiful country home near Kansasville but is how largely living retired after long, active and successful connection with agricultural interests in Racine County, was born in England, June 14, 1846, a son of William and Mary (Milard) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Gloucestershire. England. The father, who was born in 1811, died in 1869, while, the mother, who was born in 1812, passed away in 1897. They were married in England about 1842 and in the year 1850 became early residents of Dover Township, Racine County. The work of development had been begun … 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

Wisconsin Gold Star List – Racine County

A comprehensive roster of casualties from Racine County, Wisconsin, detailing the hometown, age, unit, location of death, and cause of death for soldiers, sailors, marines, and nurses who sacrificed their lives during World War I.

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 B. Vyvyan

George B. Vyvyan owns eighty acres of good land in Yorkville Township and is extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, which business he has found highly profitable. A native of Racine County he was born in Yorkville Township, on the 20th of September, 1885, and is a son of William and Sarah (Beaumont) Vyvyan, the former born in Raymond Township, this County, in 1854, and the latter in Dover Township, in 1860. The paternal grandfather, William Vyvyan, emigrated from England to Racine County and located in Raymond Township. He conducted a meat market in Union Grove for a number … 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

Biography of William P. Heckel

The history of a city is not the record of any one enterprise, important and extensive as it may be, but is the outcome of the aggregate effort of many who are controlling various lines of trade and commerce. Every new undertaking adds to the commercial activity and therefore to the consequent development of the city. Among the newer business concerns of Racine is the Racine Welding & Cutting Company, which was organized June 1, 1915, by William P. Heckel and William H. Larkin, with plant at No. 229 Wisconsin Street. This firm does acetylene welding and cutting, both heavy … Read more

Biography of John Vyvyan

John Vyvyan, of Yorkville Township, had no capital when he began farming on his own account, but possessed enterprise and good judgment and as the years have passed has prospered. He has given land to each of his children, but still holds one hundred and sixty acres, on which he is engaged in general farming. His birth occurred in Raymond Township, this County, on the 15th of November. 1850, and he is a son of William and Matilda Vyvyan, both of whom were born in Cornwall, England. They came to America, however, in young manhood and womanhood and their marriage … Read more

Biography of M. O. Mortensen

M. O. Mortensen occupies one of the pioneer brick residences of Racine County, standing in the midst of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 32, Caledonia Township, and in the conduct of his business affairs he is meeting with substantial and well merited success. His attention is now given to general farming and dairying, but for thirty years he was active in the creamery business. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 17th of March, 1861, his parents being James and Maren (Jensen) Mortensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, born in 1832 and … Read more

Biography of P. Cornelius Olson

P. Cornelius Olson, assistant cashier of the Racine City Bank, was born in this city July 2, 1871, his parents being Peter M. and Christine Olson, both of whom were natives of Porsgrund, Norway. In that country they were reared and married and during the ’60s they crossed the Atlantic to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. Two of their children died while en route and were buried in the ocean. The father was a sailor, devoting his life to that work and to carpentering but for some years he has lived retired, having now reached the eightieth … Read more