For twenty-two years Frederick J. Greene has been an active representative of the industrial life of Racine and in his business career he has eagerly embraced the opportunities leading to success. Never content to wait for the favors which fortune might bring, he has worked diligently and has earned the rewards of earnest, self-denying labor. Racine County numbers him among her native sons. He was born at Berryville, this County, March 15, 1869, a son of Melville R. and Elizabeth (Collins) Greene, who were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Removing westward they became early residents of Racine County, where for many years the father followed the occupation of farming, but he has now departed this life. His widow, however, still survives.
Frederick J. Greene acquired a public school education in the district schools near his father’s home and was reared to farm work, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the tasks of plowing, planting and harvesting, he began learning the machinist’s trade, working in the plant of the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company until 1894, when he purchased an interest in the firm of Hodges & Son. From that time forward he has been active in the management and control of the business and gradually he took over the interests of his partners, first, buying out the father and afterward the son. The business is now conducted under the name of the F. J. Greene Engineering Works and Mr. Greene is most busily employed in planning, managing and controlling the interests of this establishment..
On the 5th of April, 1898, occurred the marriage of Mr. Greene and Miss Minnie McClellan of Racine, and to them have been born four children: Carlyle, Bernice, Grace and Jeanette. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Greene belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Royal League. His political endorsement is given to the Republican Party and he studies thoroughly those questions which are of vital interest in settling the affairs of the commonwealth, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. However, he served on the hoard of supervisors at one time.