Wisconsin

Biography of George L. Buck

George L. Buck, president of the Racine Iron & Wire Works, is actuated in all that. he does by a spirit of indefatigable enterprise and during the decade in which he has been at the head of his present interests has so directed the course of his activities that his labors have spelled success. One of New England’s native sons, he was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1865, a son of David and Charlotte (Olin) Buck, the former of Welsh descent, while the latter was of Scotch lineage, although both families have long been represented in the United States. The … Read more

Biography of William Haigh

A well improved farm of one hundred and forty acres, situated near Corliss, is the home property of William Haigh, who has always resided upon this place. He was actively engaged in its cultivation for many years, but in 1904 he retired from active farm work and now rents his land. He was born in this County, August 25, 1845, a son of George and Anna (Butterworth) Haigh. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1810 and died January 28. 1890, while the mother, a native of Lancashire. England, passed away in 1867. They were married in Racine County, … Read more

Biography of Jens C. Jensen

Jens C. Jensen, president and treasurer of the Jensen Brothers Dry Goods, was active in incorporating this business in 1912, but for many years before had been closely associated with commercial activity in this city. He had come to the United States in 1872 when a young man of nineteen years and in the spring of 1875, when twenty-two years of age arrived in Racine.. His birth occurred in Denmark, September 11, 1852, his parents being C. and Maria Jensen, who were natives of that country and there spent their entire lives. Reared and educated in Denmark, Jens C. Jensen … Read more

Biography of Peter Hanson

Peter Hanson, who, in 1911, purchased eighty acres of land on section 25, Raymond Township, has since engaged in farming and dairying with good success. He belongs to that class of men who are termed self-made, for from early age he has depended entirely upon his own efforts. He was born in Denmark, June 28, 1870, and was one of a family of fourteen children. The parents, however, never left Denmark. In the schools of his native country Peter Hanson pursued his education and in 1891, about the time he attained his majority, he came to the new world and … Read more

Biography of George C. Schmitz

It has been said that a successful corporation is not only a “maker of money but a maker of men.” It is true that opportunity calls forth latent powers and stimulates the energy and ambition of the individual, but it is equally true that the individual must have in him those inherent qualities which make for success, and then the combination of opportunity and industry will bring its results. This has been manifested in the career of George C. Schmitz, president and manager of the Arnold Electric Company, which in a period of twelve years has developed its interests into … Read more

Biography of J. A. Dobson

J. A. Dobson, devoting his energies to the further development and improvement of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Dover Township, not only tills the soil but also engages to some extent in dairying and raises considerable stock, his life being thus a busy and useful one. He was born in Rochester Township, March 3, 1859. a son of Richard and Jane (Cockroft) Dobson, natives of England, the former born in Lincolnshire and the latter in Huddersfield. It was in the year 1842 that Richard Dobson came to the United States and in Rochester he married Jane … Read more

Biography of Frederick J. Greene

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, … Read more

Biography of L. C. Christensen

L. C. Christensen is one of the extensive land owners of Racine County, his holdings embracing more than five hundred acres, much of which he now rents, but gives personal supervision to the further cultivation and improvement of a tract of eighty acres, on which he conducts a large wholesale and retail live stock business. There is something stimulating in the life record of such a man as Mr. Christensen, who owes his success to his own efforts, his record proving what may be accomplished when energy and ambition point out the way. He was born in Norway Township, this … Read more

Biography of Nels K. Jensen

Nels K. Jensen, farmer and dairyman, makes his home on section 11, Norway Township, where he has a well improved property, everything about the place indicating his progressive spirit, which is fraught with substantial results as manifest in excellent crops and in the fine appearance of his place. Mr. Jensen was born in Denmark, January 3, 1854, a son of Jans P. Larsen and Christina Petersen, who were also natives of Denmark, the former born in 1809 and the latter in 1812. They were married in that country and spent their entire lives there, the father successfully carrying on the … Read more

Biography of Herbert Van Bree

Herbert Van Bree, president of the Racine Traveling Bag Company and also of the Racine Electric Company, is numbered among Wisconsin’s native sons, his birth having occurred at Barton on the 25th of June, 1861, and his parents being Jerry and Johanna Van Bree, both of whom were natives of Holland. They were reared in that country, but immediately after their marriage crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Wisconsin, settling at Barton. The father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for the support of his family, but he and his wife … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. McKee

Thomas H. McKee is a representative of farming interests in Dover Township, his home being near Burlington. It was in that Township that he was born, May 16, 1854, his parents being James and Rebecca (Wilson) McKee. The father was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1808 and the mother in Donegal, Ireland, in 1839. In early life they came to the new world and were married in Dover Township, Racine County, where their remaining days were passed, the father’s death occurring in 1873, while the mother survived until 1909. At the time of his arrival the country was wild and … Read more

Biography of Roland J. Scheuss

Roland J. Scheuss, assistant secretary-treasurer of the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, has been one of the most active young men of Racine in efforts to benefit the city along various lines and his work has at all times been prompted by a most public-spirited devotion to the general good. He was born in Racine, December 21, 1889, a son of Jacob and Anna Marie (Goedeke) Scheuss, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of Germany. His ancestry in the maternal line has been traced hack to 1463. The parents came to Racine in childhood and the father has … Read more

Biography of Alexander R. Anderson

Alexander R., Anderson, manager and treasurer of the Racine Hosiery Company, has back of him twenty years’ experience in all departments of the mill and is therefore most competent to control the enlarging and developing interests of this concern. The work is thoroughly systematized and everything done in a most methodical manner, so that there is no useless expenditure of time, labor or material. It is a well recognized fact that this economy of forces is the basis of all modern business success. Mr. Anderson was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 16, 1878, a son of Walter R. and Margaret … Read more

Biography of Adelmer A. Bishop

Active and energetic through his entire business career, Adelmer A. Bishop has worked along the lines of success and that he has achieved what he has purposed is indicated in the fact that he is now proprietor of a profitable laundry business, which includes a plant erected at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. Always a resident of southeastern Wisconsin, he was born in Kenosha County, September 4, 1871, a son of the Honorable Isaac T. and Lydia Jane (Clemmons) Bishop. The father was born in Somers, Kenosha County, June 6, 1844, and is a son of Jacob Bishop, a … Read more

Biography of Jacob Jacobson

Jacob Jacobson, a member of the wholesale jobbing firm of Henricksen & Jacobson, of Racine, was born on the 31st of October, 1887, in the city in which he still makes his home and conies of Norwegian ancestry, representing in his life many of the sterling traits of the people of the land of the midnight sun. His parents were Andrew and Mary E. (Kittilsen) Jacobson, both of whom were natives of Norway. When young people they came to Racine, arriving in 1883 and here they were married. The father was always a seaman and became captain of the G. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Knute Thompsen

Knute Thompsen was born in Denmark in 1871 and two years later was brought to this country by his parents. Mr. Thompsen entered the foundry as an apprentice in his youth and after years of hard work in 1913 he organized the Wisconsin Cylinder Foundry Company, which has been operating very successfully ever since its organization. The office and foundry are located at No. 1308 Eighteenth street; the output consists chiefly of cylinder and piston castings for motorcycle, small marine and aeroplane motors, and the officers are : K. Thompson, president ; Laura Schneider, vice president : Mary L. Thompsen, … Read more

Biography of John William Ruggaber

John William Ruggaber, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Racine Electric Company, was born on the 26th of July, 1882, in the city of Racine, his parents being Joseph and Theresa (Brick) Ruggaber, the former a native of Ottawa, Illinois, while the latter was also born in Racine. The Ruggaber family was early established in this section of the state and as the name indicates they come of German ancestry. The father, Joseph Ruggaber, died in the year 1894, but the mother still survives. They had a family of four sons: Frank, John W., Ed and Albert, all of whom … Read more

Biography of Joseph O. Kennedy

Joseph O. Kennedy, vice president of the Racine Carriage Company, came to his present position after long connection and broad experience with the Sattley Company, carriage manufacturers, of this city. He is now concentrating his efforts upon the further development of the trade, reaching out along modern commercial lines for that success which is the direct outcome of close application, unfaltering diligence and unremitting energy. Mr. Kennedy was born in Franklin County, Missouri, June 24, 1877, a son of W. H. and Virginia Kennedy, who are still occupying the farm upon which they have lived for a half century, near … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph B. Brehm

Joseph B. Brehm, vice president of the Brehm Brothers Company, was born in Burlington. April 9. 1879, and acquired his education in the parochial schools. Throughout his business career he has been connected with the enterprise which now claims his attention, for when his textbooks were put aside he began assisting his father, and in 1909, when the business was incorporated under the style of the Brehm Brothers Company, he became one of the stockholders and after his father’s death he was elected vice president and still continues in that capacity. Mr. Brehm is a member of the Roman Catholic … Read more

Biography of Henry M. Henricksen

Henry M. Henricksen, the senior partner of the firm of Henricksen & Jacobson, wholesale jobbers in groceries, in Racine, is classed with the progressive young business men of this city in which his entire life has been passed. He was born in Racine, September 12, 1888, and is a son of Peter and Cena (Nielsen) Henricksen, both of whom were natives of Denmark, in which country they remained until 1886 and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Racine. During the early period of his residence in this country the father followed farming and lived on the … Read more