Wisconsin

Biography of Alonzo Silas Titus

Alonzo Silas Titus, conducting business under the name of the Waterford Milling Company, was born at Richland Center, Wisconsin, February 14, 1858, a son of Starr and Elsa (Hickox) Titus. The father was born at Buffalo, New York, where he was reared to manhood, and thence removed to Illinois. He was a millwright by trade, but afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for a number of years in McHenry County, Illinois. There most of his children were born. At length, because of failing health, he removed to the pine woods of Wisconsin and in 1859 he … Read more

Biography of Edward D. Davis

A substantial proportion of the citizenship of Mount Pleasant Township has come from Wales, being a representative of a Welsh emigration either in the first or second generation. Edward D. Davis, born near Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, lived for many years on section 19, Mount Pleasant Township, and was regarded as one of its substantial and worthy citizens, continuing his residence there up to the time of his death. His birth occurred in January, 1831, and he obtained a common school education in his native land, there remaining until he reached the age of seventeen, when in 1848 he crossed … Read more

Biography of Louis N. Burns

Louis N. Burns, who holds the offices of secretary and sales manager in the J.. I. Case Plow Works, has been connected with the manufacture of farm implements continuously since he was sixteen years of age with the exception of one, year, and his thorough knowledge of the business, his aggressiveness and sound judgment have been among the most important factors in his success. As sales manager he has developed in the sales organization a tine spirit of co-operation and loyalty to the company and has based the selling policy of the company upon a businesslike and convincing presentation of … Read more

Biography of Walter F. Walker

Walter F. Walker, president of the American Skein & Foundry Company, has developed the business to substantial proportions and has won a place among the representative manufacturers of the city during the eleven years of his residence in Racine. He was born in Dundee, Illinois. December 6. 1871. a son of William E. and Mary C. (Foster) Walker. The father has now retired from active business but still makes his home in Dundee. In the public schools of his native city Walter F. ‘Walker pursued his education and also attended business college. His activity throughout his business career has always … Read more

Biography of Robert Benjamin West

Robert Benjamin West, whose time is busily occupied with the care of a farm of seventy-one acres, which he cultivates according to modern scientific methods productive of excellent results, is one -of the native sons of Racine County, born June 21, 1876. His father, Benjamin West, also a well known and highly respected agriculturist of this County, was born in Canada, October 11, 1847, his parents being Thomas and Hannah West, who in 1848 brought their family to Racine County, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers. Securing land, Thomas West devoted his attention to farming in Raymond Township … Read more

Biography of Edward Frank Freeman

Edward Frank Freeman, the youngest of the Freeman Brothers, who constitute the S. Freeman & Sons Manufacturing Company, has spent his entire life in Racine, where his birth occurred on the 25th of June, 1877. Entering the public schools, he passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which in due time he was graduated. The interest of the family had centered in the manufacturing establishment founded by his father and it was a natural and logical step that he should make his initial business effort in that connection. In 1897 he entered the factory and under the guidance … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William M. La Venture

The fact that William M. La Venture, although still a comparatively young man, holds the important position of treasurer in the J. I. Case Plow Works, is proof of his enterprise, his knowledge of modern business methods and his financial acumen. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1875, a son of William and Margaret La Venture, the former of whom was for about fifty years with the Rock Island Railroad and for a considerable portion of that time its tax commissioner. W. M. La Venture received his education in the public and high schools of Davenport and on beginning … Read more

Biography of John H. Broecker

While a well known and successful manufacturer of Racine, John H. Broecker is perhaps equally well known in musical circles and also through his connection with the public interests of the community. He was born in Germany, April 7, 1850. a son of John and Elizabeth Broecker, who came to Racine in 1854. The father was a cabinetmaker and became a contractor with the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, retaining that connection for many years but both he and his wife are now deceased. John H. Broecker attended the parochial and public schools of Racine and for fifteen years … Read more

Biography of John W. Jones

John W. Jones, who was one of the organizers of the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company, of which he is now the president, was born in Racine, December 21, 1862, a son of Captain Hugh W. and Laura (Thomas) Jones. The parents were natives of Wales but were married at Remsen, New York, remaining residents of the east until 1854, when they came to Racine. The father was a lake captain who sailed for thirty-two years and at different times commanded the well known lake vessels Active, Hamlet, Ethan Allen and Onward. In this connection he became widely known and was accounted … Read more

Biography of James H. Crane

James H. Crane, son of Augustus B. Crane, was born in Mount Pleasant Township, July 7, 1848, and between the ages of six and seventeen years attended the public schools. He afterward became a pupil in Rochester, where he continued his studies for a year and a half, and for one term he was a student in the high school at Racine. He then concentrated his energies upon farm work and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he went to Chicago, where he spent two years engaged in the bakery business. On the expiration … Read more

Biography of Henry August Hilker

Watchful of every opportunity pointing to success, wide-awake and alert, Henry August Hilker has so directed his efforts that success in substantial measure is now within his grasp and his business activities furthermore are of a character that contributes to public prosperity as well as to the advancement of personal interests. He is today manager of the Red Seal Oil Company and for a long period has been connected with the manufacture and sale of brick in Racine. At the present time he is platting and developing a fine summer resort. Racine claims Mr. Hilker as a native son; he … Read more

Biography of A. J. Williams, M. D.

Rush Medical College of Chicago has sent several of its alumni to Racine and in the field of active practice they have won success and by their careers have conferred honor upon their alma mater. Such is the record of Dr. A. J. Williams, who, since 1900, has practiced continuously in Racine. He is a native son of this city born November 18, 1872, his parents being Thomas R. and Eliza (Williams) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Racine. She was a daughter of William J. Williams, who was also born in the little rock-ribbed … Read more

Biography of John Bell

Caledonia Township was the birthplace of John Bell as well as the place of his present residence, his home being on section 19. He was born November 29, 1858, a son of Valentine and Agnes (Vohn) Bell, both of whom were born in the Rhine country of Germany in 1813. They were reared and married in the fatherland and on coming to the new world established their home in Caledonia Township, where the father secured twenty acres of land, which he purchased for a dollar and a quarter per acre, and to which he subsequently added ten acres. The homestead … Read more

Biography of H. M. Wallis

The rapid and steady growth of the business of the J. I. Case Plow Works and the enviable standing of the Company’s products are due in large measure to the personal force, the executive ability and the high business standards of H. M. Wallis, who for twenty-four years has been president of the corporation. He was born in White Pigeon, Michigan, on the 24th of June, 1861, a son of T. O. and Eliza A. (Mitchell) Wallis, born respectively in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, and in Kenosha, then Southport, Wisconsin. The father engaged in the real estate business in Detroit, Michigan, … Read more

Biography of Orlando Canfield Munroe

Many years have come and gone since Orlando Canfield Munroe was called to his final rest, but the result of his labors is still manifest, as he was for many years a most progressive and energetic agriculturist and succeeded in transforming a large tract of land in Mount Pleasant Township into rich and productive fields. He was born in Bennington, Vermont. December 12, 1818, and was in the seventieth year of his age when he passed away in this County on the 9th of June, 1888. He had obtained a common school education in the east and in 1845 came … Read more

Biography of Augustus B. Crane

No history of the pioneer development of Racine County would be complete were there failure to make reference to Augustus B. Crane, who arrived here in 1839 and continued to make his home within the borders of the County for nearly seven decades. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1823, and at an early age was left an orphan, after which he was reared by an uncle. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to Racine County in 1839, and throughout his remaining days was closely identified with the agricultural progress of his community. … Read more

Biography of George Schneider

George Schneider, one of the wholesale liquor merchants of Racine, was born February 18, 1869, in the city in which he still lives, his parents being Henry and Charlotte (Beyer) Schneider, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father crossed the Atlantic to Canada when a youth of thirteen years and soon afterward came to the United States, making his way to Racine where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1889. During the period of his residence in this city he engaged in the grocery business and was well known as one of the … Read more

Biography of Griffith G. Jones

Griffith G. Jones, merchant and manufacturer, has been associated with the Mohr-Jones Hardware Company from the age of sixteen years and successive promotions have brought him to official connection with the house. Since 1907 he has been vice president of the company, having charge of the shop work of the factory at Eleventh Street and the St. Paul Railway tracks. He was born in Racine, August 28, 1873, a son of Griffith P. and Ellen (Williams) .Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales. The father arrived in Racine in 1855 and the mother in 1856 and they were married … Read more

Biography of William H. Liegler

William H. Liegler engages in the plumbing business in Racine, his native city, and was born July 19th, 1877, son of Frank and Nettie (Frich) Liegler, both of whom were born in Bohemia near Prague. The father came to the United States when about. six or seven years of age and established his home in Racine. Some years afterward he engaged in the hardware business in which he continued for many years but about seven years ago retired and is now enjoying a well earned rest. Both he and his wife are residents of Racine. In this city William H. … Read more

Biography of Fred L. King

Fred L. King, who is engaged in truck gardening upon a tract of land of fifteen acres on section 13, Mount Pleasant Township, was born in St. Charles, Illinois, August 18, 1854, and is a son of Edmond and Mary (Rice) King, of whom mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of their son, Frank E. King. After mastering the preliminary branches of learning as a district school pupil Fred L. King continued his education in the town schools until 1868, when his parents removed to Green County, Wisconsin, where they lived for … Read more