Wisconsin

Biography of Clinton Skewes

Clinton Skewes, who is operating the family homestead in Yorkville Township, has a number of good dairy cows and ships milk extensively to Chicago. He is also doing considerable truck gardening and raises some grain. His birth occurred upon the farm which he is now cultivating, on the 14th of August, 1880, and he is a son of Hannibal and Eliza (Phillips) Skewes, natives of Cornwall, England, born in 1838 and 1840, respectively. The mother was brought to this country by her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phillips, who were among the first settlers of Racine County, Wisconsin. The father … Read more

Biography of William H. Kranz

For more than seventy years the name of Kranz has been associated with the business development of Racine and has long been a synonym for progressiveness and reliability in commercial circles. The wholesale paper and stationery business conducted under the name of Kranz was established by John Kranz and since his death has been conducted by his son, William H. Kranz, whose name introduces this review. The latter was born in Racine, July 18, 1856, and the former in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Elizabeth Ritchie, a native of Lensburg, Switzerland. It was in the … Read more

Biography of Frank Alshuler

Frank Alshuler, a partner in one of the largest men’s furnishing goods stores not only of Racine but of the state, maintains a foremost position in trade circles by reason of his enterprising spirit that keeps him in touch with advanced commercial methods and modern business ideas. He was born in Covington, Indiana, March 11, 1859, a son of Jacob and Jeannette Alshuler, both of whom were natives of Germany but in early life came to the United States. Making his way to Indiana, the father was for a long period engaged in merchandising in Covington, and in that city … Read more

Biography of George Peterson

George Peterson, a farmer and stock raiser of Raymond Township, was born on the old family homestead in that Township February 10, 1879, his parents being John and Gertrude Peterson, who were natives of Denmark and Norway respectively. The father, who was born in 1834, passed away in 1909. He came to the new world in 1869 and, settling in Racine County, was married in Raymond Township. He purchased a farm of sixty-two acres and at once bent his energies to its development and improvement, continuing to reside thereon until his demise. His wife has also passed away. They were … Read more

Biography of William John McAdams

William John McAdams, who since 1909 has lived retired, although previously actively connected with agricultural, commercial and industrial pursuits, was born in Elizabethport, New Jersey, August 10, 1849, a son of John and Jane (Crothers) McAdams, who were natives of Ireland, and with their family crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in New Jersey. The father was a railroad man, being employed on the York & Erie Railroad as section boss for seventeen years. He came to Racine County in 1851 and turned his attention to farming in Caledonia Township, while later he followed agricultural pursuits in Raymond … Read more

Biography of William H. Hetzel

William H. Hetzel, conducting a general contracting electrical business, has been a lifelong resident of Racine, his birth having occurred in this city June 19, 1873, his parents being David and Mary L. (Wilken) Hetzel, who were pioneer residents here, the family having long been represented in Racine, where they have ever stood for substantial development and improvement. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, William H. Hetzel devoted one year of study in the high school and then started out in the business world, taking up carpentering, which he followed for a year. He next turned his attention … Read more

Biography of John R. Baker

John R. Baker, who is successfully engaged in general farming in Yorkville Township, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, Racine County, on the 20th of April, 1847. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Rowe) Baker, were born in Cornwall, England, the former in 1817 and the latter in 1816. Their marriage occurred in their native land but not long after that event they came to the United States and located in Mount Pleasant Township. The father purchased eighty acres of land, which he lost, however, on account of an imperfect deed, and subsequently he bought an eighty acre tract and a … Read more

Biography of Lucius F. Craves

Lucius F. Craves, president, of the Graves Sign Company, which he organized in 1906, has taken a forward step in his line of work and set a standard which others have followed. He was born on Washington Avenue in Racine, November 24, 1885, and is a son of Horace and Mary (Sherman) Craves, who were natives of Lowell, Massachusetts, and became residents of Racine about forty-five years ago. The father still remains an active business man here and was a contractor for the American Seating Company, while at the present time he is with the Belle City Manufacturing Company. The … Read more

Biography of Chris Schroeder

Chris Schroeder, who upon the foundation of broad, practical experience in agriculture has built his life work-that of disseminating useful knowledge concerning improved methods of farming and live stock breeding-is now live stock editor of the Wisconsin Agriculturist, published at Racine. He was born in Kewaunee, this state, December 31, 1880, a son of Frederick C. and Margaret (Hoeltz) Schroeder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1842 and with his parents came to the United States in 1853, the family home being established in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, where they followed the occupation of farming. … Read more

Biography of William G. Gittings

Along well defined lines of labor, guided by sound judgment and controlled with a view to maintaining a high standard of business ethics, William G. Gittings has reached the goal of success, being now manager of the Gold Medal Camp Furniture Manufacturing Company. Racine County claims him as a native son. He was born October 6, 1858, his parents being William and Elizabeth Gittings, who were natives of the north of Wales. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Gittings who followed farming in Wales and there spent his entire life. William Gittings, in 1840, crossed the Atlantic from Wales … Read more

Biography of Samuel E. Hollick

Samuel E. Hollick, who on the first of January, 1915, assumed the duties of the office of sheriff, to which he had been elected in the fall of the previous year, was born near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of September, 1875, a son of Leonard and Barbara (Fogel) Rollick, who in the year 1881 removed to Ohio and after a residence of ten years in that state went to Michigan. The mother has passed away but the father still survives. Samuel E. Hollick was a little lad of but six years when the family home was established in the … Read more

Biography of Clarence A. McLaughlin

In real estate circles Clarence A. McLaughlin, member of the firm of Keefe & McLaughlin, is well known, for he has not only negotiated many important real estate transfers but is also active in the field of speculative building and in this way has contributed much toward the improvement of the city, operating in his building interests as a member of the Community Realty Company. He was born in Racine, January 24, 1892, and is a son of Joseph and Clara (Nagler) McLaughlin, the former a native of Racine and the latter of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The paternal grandfather, Patrick McLaughlin, … Read more

Biography of James D. Black

James D. Black, deceased, was for many years a resident of Racine and such were his sterling qualities that he enjoyed the friendship and high regard of many with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Winchester, Virginia, February 14, 1844, a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Stipe) Black. The father was a son of a soldier of the War of 1812 and was of Scotch descent. He learned the blacksmith’s trade and in June, 1844, he removed with his family to Marseilles, Illinois, where he lived for about a year and then went to Ogle … Read more

Biography of Frederick A. Tecktonius

Frederick A. Tecktonius, active, energetic, alert and progressive, is winning success for the E. C. Tecktonius Manufacturing Company as one of its officers. With this business he has been connected since his school days were over and, concentrating his efforts upon the further development of their trade, he is now contributing much to the success of the undertaking. He was born in Kenosha, September 19, 1878, a son of Emil C., and Bridget Ann (Hoye) Tecktonius, who were married August 15, 1867, in Kenosha. The father was a native of Sweden, born in 1846, and came to the United States … Read more

Biography of Henry Shuman

The rich farming district of Racine County furnishes splendid opportunities to the agriculturist and dairyman, and among the enterprising and prosperous farmers of the locality is numbered Henry Shuman, who is now comfortably situated in life. He makes his home near Franksville and is numbered among the native sons of Raymond Township, his birth having there occurred June 21, 1867. His parents, Fred and Margaret (Hansen) Shuman, were natives of Denmark, the former born August 26, 1833, and the latter August 15, 1826. They were married in Raymond Township, Racine County, where Mr. Shuman had located at. a very early … 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

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

Biographical Sketch of Rudolf M. Sorensen

Rudolf M. Sorensen, conducting a large and profitable moving and storage business, with warehouse at No. 516 Center street in Racine, was born in Denmark, August 30, 1886, a son of Rasmus and Mary Sorensen, who came to the United States nine years ago and are now living in Racine. Rudolf M. Sorensen was reared and educated in Denmark and there learned the butcher’s trade, at which he worked in his native country until he came to this city. Following his arrival here he again followed the butchering business for three years, after which he became associated with the moving … Read more

Biography of William Henry Richardson

W. H. Richardson, president of the Racine Carriage Company, is one whose long experience in this line of trade well qualified him for the important position which he now occupies as executive official, directing the policy and shaping the course of the business. One of the elements of his success is the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman, never dissipating his energies over a broad field but concentrating on the mastery of every task that has devolved upon him and thus gaining a most comprehensive and exact knowledge of … Read more

Biography of Jabez Spriggs

Jabez Spriggs, a farmer residing near Kansasville, represents one of the old families of the County. He was born in Northamptonshire, England, April 26, 1838, a son of John and Mary (Nursey) Spriggs, who were likewise natives of the same country, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1801. Their respective parents never left that country, but some years after their marriage the parents of Jabez Spriggs sailed for the new world, arriving on American shores in 1848. Continuing their journey into the interior of the country, they settled at Burlington, Wisconsin, where they remained for a year … Read more