Albert J. Druse is the secretary and treasurer of the Hamilton-Beach Manufacturing Company, an enterprise that is notable even in Racine, a city of rapidly developing business interests, for within a notably short space of time this company has become one of the foremost productive industries of the city, increasing the number of its employees from three workmen until the names of four hundred now appear upon the pay roll. Mr. Druse was born in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in 1870, a son of Charles and Mary Druse, who were early residents of the state, later moving to Milwaukee where the father followed carpentering.
At the usual age Albert J. Druse attended the public schools and afterward continued his studies in a business college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He then started out in life as a stenographer and in 1890 came to Racine, where he entered the employ of the Case Plow Company in connection with the advertising department. That his capability was recognized and appreciated is indicated in the fact that he remained with that concern until the 1st of September, 1912, when he became an active factor in the promotion and conduct of the Hamilton-Beach Manufacturing Company, of which he was elected secretary and treasurer. This company is engaged in the manufacture of electrical supplies and is mentioned at length in connection with the sketch of Frederick J. Osius, on another page of this work. In the first place the success of the business has been founded upon the fact that the company supplies public needs; in the second place attractive advertising has been employed to bring its wares to public notice, and in the third place the officers of the company are continually alert to their opportunities and ever ready to utilize every legitimate advantage.
In 1893 Mr. Druse was united in marriage to Miss Helen Steinhofel, of Racine, and they have a daughter, Florence. They are members of the First Evangelical church and Mr. Druse also holds membership with the United Commercial Travelers. In politics he is a republican, but while he does not seek nor desire political office, he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and co-operates heartily in the well defined plans to further the interests of the city, which are put forth by the Commercial Club, of which he is a member.